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January 2011 www.sandiegotroubadour.com Vol. 10, No. 4

what’s inside Welcome Mat ………3 Mission Contributors The Macaroni Club Brian Baynes Full Circle.. …………4 ’60 at 50 Recordially, Lou Curtiss Front Porch... ………6 Jazz Night at El Take It Easy Folding Mr. Lincoln Parlor Showcase …8 Michael Rennie Ramblin’... …………10 Bluegrass Corner Zen of Recording Hosing Down Radio Daze Stages Highway’s Song. …12 Robby Krieger Of Note. ……………13 The Heavy Guilt Christopher Dale Duo LaRé Skid Roper River City ‘Round About ...... …14 January Music Calendar The Local Seen ……15 Photo Page see it at Monica’s at the Park thru January, 1735 Adams Ave., University Heights JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR welcome mat

RSAN ODUIEGBO ADOUR Come Together Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news by Will Edwards about what I’m supposed to be doing MISSION CONTRIBUTORS photos: Bryan Heil with my music.” After years of develop - ing, producing, and promoting his own To promote, encourage, and provide an FOUNDERS alternative voice for the great local music that Ellen and Lyle Duplessie hen there’s a will there is a music, Aaron switched gears. “My thing is generally overlooked by the mass media; Liz Abbott way... In a town brimming is to help people,” he says. namely the genres of alternative country, Kent Johnson with creative artists of every As is the case with many an artist, Americana, roots, folk, blues, gospel, jazz, and W PUBLISHERS description, Aaron and Kate Bowen saw a Aaron found his hometown to have its bluegrass. To entertain, educate, and bring Liz Abbott way to bring these different creative voic - problems. “I’d complain about our local together players, writers, and lovers of these Kent Johnson es together – a motley band of graphic community a lot,” he says, grinning. forms; to explore their foundations; and to “Instead of complaining, I figured, ‘Well, expand the audience for these types of music. EDITORIAL/GRAPHICS artists, craftspeople, and musicians – and Liz Abbott they had the will to make it happen. They let me try to do something here.’” As a SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the local source for Chuck Schiele call it the Macaroni Club and once a solo performer, Aaron had previously alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, ADVERTISING month, inside the cozy chambers of organized a series of events that merged blues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news, Kent Johnson is published monthly and is free of charge. Monica’s café in University Heights, local the often-separate worlds of craftspeople, Letters to the editor must be signed and may be BUSINESS CONSULTANT residents and artists of various descrip - graphic artists, and musicians. The events edited for content. It is not, however, guaranteed Joanna Schiele tions mingle over coffee, listening to live were sporadic, but successful nonetheless. that they will appear. DISTRIBUTION music, and becoming acquainted. What It seemed like a recipe he could refine, All opinions expressed in SAN DIEGO Kent Johnson makes it especially rewarding is the sense and the Macaroni Club is a continuation TROUBADOUR are solely the opinion of the Dave Sawyer of community that arises here – and that of those early ideas. writer and do not represent the opinions of the Indian Joe Stewart Heading into 2011, the Macaroni Club staff or management. All rights reserved. Dan Long is no accident. There’s no sense of obliga - Paul Cruz tion or structure. It’s quite literally an will continue to engender values of com - ADVERTISING INFORMATION “open” house. munity involvement and creative Amanda Gardner does 2-minute portraits For advertising rates, call 619/298-8488, e-mail STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER [email protected], or visit www.sandiegotrou - Steve Covault I spoke to Kate, owner of her own exchange. One of the hallmarks that badour.com craft business, about her reasons for par - makes this event so original is that it is WEB MASTER SUBSCRIPTIONS are available for $30/yr. Will Edwards ticipating in these events (not only as an allowed to just happen. Rather than Send check payable to S.D. Troubadour to: organizer, but as an artist). She says she’d imposing a strict definition, the event is WRITERS San Diego Troubadour like to have more flexibility in her life to itself a kind of breeding ground for cre - Mike Alvarez P.O. Box 164 do her art. “I want to quit my job,” she ativity, so it’s always evolving. La Jolla, CA 92038 Peter Bolland Lou Curtiss says with an apologetic and excited smile. You can check out the next evolution of the WHERE TO FIND US Can’t find a copy of the Kate runs her own business called San Diego Troubadour? Go to Will Edwards Macaroni Club on Saturday, January 29th. www.sandiegotroubadour.com and click Eamonn Farrell Katrinkas Designs (www.katrinkas.com) The event is always held at Monica’s in on FIND AN ISSUE for a complete list of Paul Hormick and makes crafts including soap, jewelry, University Heights, 1735 Adams Ave., San Frank Kocher locations we deliver to. and custom accessories. She envisions Diego, CA 92116 and starts at 7pm sharp. SUBMITTING YOUR CD FOR REVIEW Jim McInnes making a living through her business If you have a CD you’d like to be considered for Terry Roland eventually, and the Macaroni Club offers Attendees enjoying the artwork Raul Sandelin review, please send two copies to: San Diego her an uncommon and valuable opportu - Troubadour, P.O. Box 164, La Jolla, CA 92037. Sven-Erik Seaholm José Sinatra nity to reach out to the community. There SUBMITTING A CALENDAR LISTING she can promote her skills and products. Email your gig date, including location, address, Steve Thorn and time to [email protected] by D. Dwight Worden But, that’s only part of the reason that she the 22rd of the month prior to publication. Cover photo: Dan Chusid supports the event. “Its social and good ©2011 San Diego Troubadour Cover design: Chuck Schiele [for business],” she says. When I attended the most recent event BRIAN BAYNES on December 9, musicians played all The San Diego Troubadour is dedicated to the memory of Ellen and Lyle Duplessie , night in a free-form concert style while whose vision inspired the creation of this newspaper. visitors surveyed the art and drank coffee Ni Bheid a Leithead Aris Ann in the main café. As one band packed up, another entered the stage and began set - ting up. Monica’s is designed with a cou - ple of alcoves off the café area and it is in by Eamonn Farrell these alcoves where art is shown and the artist talks about their creations. The San he San Diego Irish community and Diego Troubadour ’s own Liz Abbott was the local music scene lost an iconic also a featured artist at this month’s T figure, on December 19, with the Macaroni Club. Her business, Uncommon tragic and sudden passing of our dear Threads (www.uncommon-threads.com), friend Brian Baynes. specializes in fabric and thread art depict - Born in the beautiful seaside town of ing original packaging labels, postcards, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland on August and other vintage ephemera. 11, 1955, Brian, from an early childhood In the second alcove I met local artist had music in his veins. Shayna Yates. “I sell art and craft items. Since his first guitar lessons from his Brian Baynes Right now I’m doing custom drawings, friend Paul Fairclough, Brian very quickly too.” I spoke with her briefly to find out became an accomplished guitarist, and how she found out about the Macaroni from there started his musical career as a everyone he worked with in his profes - Club. “ I saw an ad on Craigslist and teenager, touring the country with many of sional recording studio, better known as called Kate and Aaron. This is the third the top showbands, from the Freshmen to Avoca Sound Studios. or fourth I’ve done. I skipped a few and modern day Bagatelle and featured many Brian’s portfolio of talent also includes they had one before that.” Shayna seems times as a very special guest of Stepaside. a brief encounter with the big screen as he unsure about doing an interview but He moved to the United States in 1980 got his own lines in James Cameron’s opens up about her reasons for attending. and lived in Miami, then Los Angeles, blockbuster movie Titanic , where he “It’s a community thing that brings before finally making his home here in San offered the captain of the ship a life jacket. together all kinds creative people,” she Diego. Only one thing in Brian’s life surpassed says. “Sometimes I make a few dollars He soon became a fixture on the local his love of music and that was his love of selling the art stuff.” In addition to this Irish music circuit, performing regularly at Jessica, his 13-year-old daughter. Along event Shayna contributes to events in the Blarney Stone, the Ould Sod, Hooleys, with his loving partner Rebecca, they nur - Balboa Park and elsewhere. “I have a the Harp, the Field, and many other ven - tured a passion for music and culture in website and I do other events pretty regu - ues including headline performances at the their daughter who is both an avid larly” she says as she watches the next annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish/Flamenco dancer and blossoming musician start their microphone check. Festival in Balboa Park over the past 25 guitarist. The apple didn’t fall far from the You can find out more about Shayna’s art years. tree, and beautiful Jessica was certainly the online at www.unordinary.org. Perhaps his proudest musical accom - apple of her daddy’s eye. Along with Aaron Bowen, an established San plishment was playing with the San Diego Rebecca and Jessica, Brian will be sorely Diego singer-songwriter and SDMA-win - Symphony on numerous occasions when missed by his family in Ireland, brothers ning producer the Brian Baynes Band sold out Symphony Seamus and Miceal, sisters Finola and (www.aaronbowenmusic.com), spear - Hall for the St. Patricks Day Show under Maeve, and their families. heads the event each month by assem - the direction of Matthew Garbutt. He leaves a huge void in the local bling artists and musicians (many of Not only a brilliant guitarist, Brian was community where he was always the first whom he knows personally). He was also an accomplished player of a whole to volunteer his talents for a host of chari - inspired to do this event based on his range of instruments and this hands-on table organizations, including M.D.A., experiences of touring. “Going to other knowledge and acute musical ear led him Breast Cancer and Autism Awareness to towns and seeing these amazing commu - to his other career – that of a record pro - name a few. nities happening and getting invited to ducer for a distinguished list of performers The old Gaelic saying, Ni Bheid a see how they were running them” was a from California, Arizona, Colorado, and as Leithead Aris Ann , sums up the feeling of major influence, he says. The event start - far away as Canada and Ireland. the Irish Community in San Diego, which ed in February of 2010 and has been run - Intense, passionate, and totally translates to “We’ll never see his likes ning ever since. 2010 was also an impor - absorbed in his work, Brian was a musical again.” tant year of personal growth, Aaron perfectionist who set the bar high for recalls. “This year was a revelation for me www.sandiegotroubadour.com 3 JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle

by Raul Sandelin back. One John is the reflection of the other though opposites, the NOTE: This past year, a lot was done in the unknown and the famous, the direc - media to cover John Lennon’s 70th birthday and tionless and the powerful, the delin - the 30th anniversary of his death. But, two anniversaries seemed to slip by the pop culture quent versus noblesse oblige. Another beacons: the Beatles’ 50th anniversary and, more John finds his ecstasy in a brothel on broadly, the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Reeperbahn. the ’60s. The following is a prose poem remem - Clark Gable dies. Oscar Pettiford bering those two “silver” anniversaries. dies. Oscar Hammerstein dies. Zora ’60 at 50 Neale Hurston dies. Jean-Claude Van t was 50 years ago today that an Damme is born. anonymous John staggered out of The global village is incorporated. a whorehouse in the Reeperbahn. I The doomsday clock slows down are invented. a coup in Turkey and Typhoon Who exactly is the mayor? (His story is not really important.) A We would rather float off to Where second John sat in his room doo - Maynard G. Krebs, the new Mary. the Wild Things Are. dling, fresh from Hamburg, the leader teenage anti-hero, bops into The Beetles become the Beatalls then  One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest of a rock and roll band, whose name American homes become the Beatles While housewives sneak their copies and play the Indra Club on the pins sainthood on the insane. was finally misspelled correctly. The world hears the incredible Wes of Reeperbahn. Barbie turns one. And, 50 years ago today, this Montgomery. Trane Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Why can’t the Soviets leave our spy Tell me you remember Lynda nation waited for a young president blows Giant Steps while Miles James Hendrix’s high school band planes alone? Mead? to be sworn in. One part King Arthur, sketches plays the Temple de Hirsch ASCII is invented. Roberto Clemente’s Pirates are the one part Rimbaud, one part old man Spain Synagogue in Seattle. Ike likes Civil Rights at least long first of this decade to fight since he had fought in the War. But, with his lips. It’s the Year of Africa and the Year of enough to sign his name. Yankee imperialism still he was young as far as presidents Another train pulls into Dartford sta - the Rat. The doomsday clock quickens. and win. go, young like the new America “busy tion. A kid named Mick meets a kid Togo and Mau Mau, Congo, Scientists toy with particle accelera - Kittinger jumps out of his balloon being born,” as someone later sang, named Keith. Algeria, Sudan, Ghana, Chad, Ivory tion then watch Johnny Carson on and the doomsday clock quickens. not “busy dying.” Was the blue light their baby? Coast: days off. At this point, one John staggers The year began with a January Was the red light their minds? The colonial world goes up in smoke Andre Previn plays Gershwin. out of the brothel and out of the like years most often do, Kidnappings, mine disasters and rail - and so does France Sputnik 4 and laser beams. Reeperbahn. He has six months to cold in Washington, road strikes. God still speaks Latin but will Three thousand U.S. “advisors” serve in the U.S. Navy and 60 years mild in Greensboro, The kidnappers want beer. start learning Swahili. parade up a beach in Vietnam, left to live. high noon in Sharpsville. The mines and trains want greeted by school girls and flowers The other Johns aren’t so lucky. Across a bridge in Birmingham, more blood. Honorably discharged Elvis sings “Are One continues doodling. The other apostles march. VP Nixon emerges from Squaw  You Lonesome Tonight?” prepares a speech. One has 20 years, And, NASA’s apostle-fighter pilots pre - Valley Olympics. “Cathy’s Clown,” “The Twist,” and the other only three. They will both pare to explore a new frontier. Oh, where have you gone The world hears the incredible “El Paso” drone through the corridors be martyrs for a generation that does - Bongos and beatniks in winter Connie Francis and Doris Day? Khrushchev meets De Gaulle. at junior high dances. n’t know it’s a generation yet. But, for teenage basements. The doomsday clock quickens. The doomsday clock slows down. Tic-toc, MCMLX anno domini. the moment, this generation needs to Generational gaps flare. Eddie Cochran dies. Smell-O-Vision The first baby boomer is a 15-year finish high school, a few more years Barney Kessel, Ornette Coleman makes chaos chic. and Wilt the Stilt old sophomore in high school. of bliss before it explodes. Shelly Manne, The U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps entertain the young and the Ben-Hur wins and Pillow Talk wins. Ray Brown record Exploring the is born. middle-aged. For a moment, one John stops Raul Sandelin teaches writing and cultural Scene. Cassius Clay goes pro. OPEC is formed to control the world’s theory at Grossmont College and SDSU. doodling and picks up a magazine Camus absurdly Peter Pan flies onto TV. oil spout. from the table: the new American meets a strange tree The Wizard of Oz is dusted off The U.S. finds symmetry with a 50- president on the cover. John stares at at 1:54am. for a new generation. star flag, the magazine and the magazine stares Ominously, Australia hits 123 degrees. Bob Zimmerman plays the 10 the old 49 so awkward. JFK visits Des Moines and Oswald vis - O’Clock Scholar in Dinkeytown. More and more satellites spin around its Minsk. The IBM 1400 and the first modem the globe,

4 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle t l

MUSIC PRESERVATION , G RANT u a v

MONEY , AND FOLK FESTIVALS o C

e v e ell, 2010 was one hell of a year t S

: o

that I would just as soon not Recordially, Lou Curtiss t o h Wrepeat again. Along with my P own health problems (rotator cuff surgery someone has gotten funding to put together and that was good for the music. Now as to which you have prepared and presented the and all its attendant problems), not being in some project here that just doesn’t seem as who I’d bring (I’m not going to list anyone application, we must point out that you a position to put together any music pro - worthwhile to me as this one. (The folks here), well, I’d try to find some show biz have only cleared title to the proposed col - grams or festivals (an activity that I’ve receiving the funding would probably think folks who never worked this kind of festival lateral property back to 1803. Before final always felt was one of the most worthwhile the opposite.) A Few years back someone before along with those to whom it’s an old approval can be accorded it will be neces - things in my life), the digitization project of involved with one of the Fine Arts groups familiar thing. Drop by Folk Arts Rare sary to clear the title back to its origin.” all the tapes of the 55 some odd Festivals here in San Diego refered to folk music as Records and I’ll tell you about some of Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows and concerts I’ve put together over the past “the step child of the Arts,” always a little those folks, how much money it’d take (I (actual response): “Your letter requesting 50 years that was started with a grant from less worthy than the opera, symphony, or don’t want any for me; I’ve never taken title in Case number 189156 has been the Grammy people to set up the Lou even the dramatic arts. I can’t see it. The money for doing a festival that wasn’t received. I note that you wish to have title Curtiss San Diego Sound Library Sound San Diego Folk Festival and the Adams plowed back into it, or a future festival) to extended further than the 206 years covered Collection at the Library of Congress in Avenue Roots Festival have both been pay the musicians, who the P.R. should go by the present application. I was unaware Washington DC and a similar active at the acclaimed as among the finest music events out to, and all those things it takes. You that any educated person in this country, Lou Curtiss UCLA Department of Folklore and in our city (by observers both local and might check my Facebook page (Louis F. particularly those working in the property Ethnomusicology (where the music could national). The fact that we took the time to Curtiss) to see what kinds of music I’m into area would not know that Louisiana was be downloadable to the public), has been tape and, in some cases, videotape, this fine (I’ve got over 4,500 music clips on my page, purchased by the United States from France stalled with the renewal of the Grammy music series ought to be hailed as a most which a friend of mine called a Virtual Folk in 1803, the year of origin identified in our money being rejected twice with only about worthwhile thing, much in need of public Festival where you can download with my application. For the edification of unin - a third of the project completed. Hopefully acclaim and support. PLEASE! Someone comments on the music). Lots of tracks formed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the this next year finds the people more forth - help us get this project back in gear. from those early San Diego Folk Festivals land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained coming or maybe a new source for the Now, about not doing festivals anymore. and if we can get the digital project going from France, which had acquired it by Right money will present itself needed for Russ I’d like to put together the best damn music again, I’ll be posting tracks from later festi - of Conquest from Spain. Hamm and myself to do this work. It’s festival this city has ever seen. I’d call it vals including videos of those Adams The land came into the possession of always kind of surprised me that nobody THE MUSIC LOU CURTISS LIKES MUSIC Avenue Roots Festivals and rare tapes from Spain by Right of Discovery made in the who gives out grant money for worthwhile FESTIVAL. It wouldn’t be limited to roots the San Diego Blues Festivals, and Adams year 1492 by a sea captain named projects in our own city of San Diego (after music, or folk music, or blues, or jazz. All Avenue Street Fairs. Christopher Columbus, who had been all we did all this music here and it certain - those things would be a part of it. It would I’ll close with a funny post-Katrina story granted the privilege of seeking a new route ly documents a good part of the city’s musi - feature a lot of folks I haven’t brought from New Orleans (which I got from Mary to India by the Spanish monarch, Queen cal history) has ever come forward with one before and many who have been out here. Catherine Aldin’s “Alive and Picking” web - Isabella. The good queen Isabella, being a red cent to support this project. Even San Like the old Folk Festivals at SDSU it would site: part of rebuilding New Orleans often pious woman and almost as careful about Diego State University where the first 20 of feature at least a day of workshops and, like caused residents to be challenged with the titles as the FHA, took the precaution of the San Diego Folk Festivals took place or Juke Boy Bonner the Adams Roots Festivals, it would be free task of tracing home titles back potentially securing the blessing of the Pope before she any Adams Avenue interests where its suc - to the public. It would have a tie-in with hundreds of years. With a community rich sold her jewels to finance Columbus’ expe - Life Gave Me a Dirty Deal cessor, the Adams Ave. Roots Festival was the public schools, making an educational with history stretching back over two cen - dition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you may held, have never come forth with any fund - statement as well as an entertainment one. turies, houses have been passed along know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the ing or help in securing funding. I would by Lou Curtiss The idea of sitting down with good gospel through generations of family, sometimes Son of God, and God, it is commonly think that some institution in San Diego bluegrass singing group with a doo-wop making it quite difficult to establish owner - accepted, created this world. Therefore I (alongside the Library of Congress and In the early days of our festival (we harmony to talk about how harmony works ship. believe it is safe to presume that God also UCLA) would want to make the music and called it the San Diego Folk Festival (maybe even including someone who sings A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA made that part of the world called folklore on these tapes available to at least then), I think it was the fourth year harmony from the British folk tradition, or loan for a client. He was told the loan Louisiana. God, therefore, would be owner students, if not the general public. Being a (that’d be 1971) we had a blues singer shape note). Putting together the first part would be granted if he could prove satisfac - of origin and his orions date back before the musicologist myself, it’s easy for me to see out here from Houston, Texas named of the tapes from those early festivals; I got tory title to a parcel of property being beginning of time, the world as we know it, the public worth of this material. So many Weldon “Juke Boy” Bonner. Juke Boy to listen to a lot of those old workshops. offered as collateral. The title of the proper - and the FHA. I hope you find God’s original people I’ve worked with over the years just There is so much information there and the ty dated back to 1803, which took the claim to be satisfactory. Now may we have was a fine singer who played both guitar don’t comprehend the need to preserve this most interesting stuff is when you get peo - lawyer three months to track down. After our damn loan?” The loan was immediately and harmonica (at the same time) and music and what these festivals do toward ple with completely different roots getting sending the information to the FHA, he approved. was also an accomplished songwriter that end. I see where the members of the together and talking about things they have received this reply (actual reply from FHA): Got one more quote I ran across to give who used the blues form to write about County Board of Supervisors have given in common. I always thought the work - “Upon review of your letter adjoining your you something to think about. This is from things that troubled him, songs about large sums of money in grants to what they shops brought musicians with different client’s loan application, we note that the John Rogers: “There are two novels that can his experiences, the dangers to be found deemed worthwhile projects in their dis - kinds of musical backgrounds as well as request is supported by an abstract of title. change a bookish 14-year-old’s life – Lord of by those who move to big city (“at least tricts. Everyday I see in the papers that fans with different kinds of musical taste, While we compliment the able manner in the Rings and Atlas Shrugged . One is a child - if I go back to the sticks, I won’t have to ish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong worry ’bout no sniper’s fire”) and the obsession with its unbelievable heroes, lead - plight of the black man in America. If at ing to an emotionally stunted, socially crip - times the lyrics in his songs sound like pled adulthood, unable to deal with the real he’s feeling sorry for himself (“Life Gave world. The other, of course, involves orcs. Me a Dirty Deal,” “Hard Luck,” “Life Is Have a good and happy new year in spite a Nightmare” ) well, the story of his life of crazy politicians and those who are nuts was no bed of roses. It was a battle from enough to believe them. Support good the start with the environment he was music when and wherever you can and lis - brought up in and the ill health he was ten to stuff you’ve never heard before; you plagued with (in fact he died about a might find that you like it. year after his San Diego appearance at Recordially, age 41). Juke Boy also wrote songs Lou Curtiss about riots in cities, the dangers of the big city he lived in (“Trouble in Houston,” “Stay Off of Lyons Avenue,” “Goin’ Back to the Country”). He wrote a song about a first (and only) European tour (“I Got My Passport”) and some slightly cynical views of the then-bur - geoning black pride movement (“Being Black and I’m Proud”) and of course the joys and pain of love won and lost (“Sad Sad Sound,” “Trying to Be Contented”). There are 23 tracks here (70 minutes) and the sides were recorded between 1967 and 1969, most of them in Houston; they are probably the finest recordings this hugely underrated artist made. About half the tracks find Juke Boy accompanied by the solid and effec - tive drumming of Alvin J. Simon. Juke Boy came across as a laid back, good- natured guy who was proud of his accomplishments and a bit resentful that more folks didn’t pay attention. He cer - tainly deserved more attention than what he got. Juke Boys music is the antithesis of “laid back blues” but if you want to hear one of America’s true folk poets, you won’t go wrong here. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 5 JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch k by Paul Hormick c i m r o H

El Take It Easy: A l orth Park, once a neighborhood of u a P

secondhand shops and cheap din - : o t

ers, has been transformed, in just a o h

N P few short years, into a hub of arts and Serving of Be-bop nightlife. The landmark of the neighbor - hood, the Birch North Park Theatre, a movie palace built in the late 1920s that Once a Week had been left derelict for decades, has been newly restored by the Lyric Opera of San as he had the personal spending money to and the other musicians were actually play - Diego. Boutique shops have cropped up do so. “I was about 13 when I bought my ing for themselves, but what an opportunity where there had once been thrift stores and first record, Yusef Lateef’s Psychicemotus . I for us that we could be there.” places that would cash your check for a fee. took it home. That record was f***ing Hudson moved to southern California in During an evening walk down 30th Street amazing! I still listen to it,” he says. 1979, yet he still speaks quickly, as most you’ll see studios filled with dancers practic - Through the rest of his teen years Hudson New Yorkers do, and he still retains a bit of ing ballet, tap, and hip-hop. Folks dressed continued to visit the record stores around a New York accent. Remember Doc in West for a night out, something unseen only a Manhattan. With the limited budget of a Side Story ? The man with the candy store? few years ago, make their way across teen, he bought records whenever he could Hudson resembles the character actor a bit. University Avenue for a night of upscale afford them. He wears wire rim glasses, and it’s not cuisine and craft beers. This transformation Being a well-known regular at some of unusual to see him with about three day’s Wes Hudson, jazz connoisseur has been so great that even the New York the best record stores helped Hudson spend growth of beard. He lived in Los Angeles for Times featured North Park as a hot destina - his jazz record budget wisely. “I remember a few years and admits that the city grew on tion in their December travel section in of being in this one record store. I was looking him. He really wound up liking the place, last year. at John Coltrane’s album Om , thinking of although he admits that the jazz scene there Adding to this buzz is El Take It Easy. buying it. One of the store employees came is expensive and not very good. It was Los The winner of San Diego CityBeat’s reader up to me, showed me this other Coltrane Angeles, however, where he saw Dexter poll for the best new restaurant, El Take It album, and said, ‘You gotta buy this one.’ It Gordon perform at the Lighthouse. He says, Easy features a jazz night every Monday, in was Giant Steps ,” Hudson recalls about “I then understood why his sound was so which recordings of classic jazz, mostly being turned on to one of jazz’s most iconic pinched on his recordings. Gordon’s sound from the bop era, fill the tapas hangout. The recordings. was so f***ing big! The sound was too big name of the restaurant hints of Baja and the He says it was all an adventure – his to record.” southern California laid-back approach to record collecting and his growing apprecia - Not a professional musician or disk jock - life, but there is enough of an East Coast tion for jazz and other music. When he ey, playing jazz recordings is an avocation ambiance to lend some authenticity to the turned 16, he got more serious about the for Hudson. He has had a varied career, Monday night jazz vibe. Wooden rafters and music he listened to. Still heavily involved from working with and repairing antique boards give warmth to the high arching ceil - with jazz, he also started buying classical textiles to teaching English as a second lan - ing. Abstract art hang from the exposed recordings, particularly Brahms and Bartok. guage. Having earned a PhD at USC, he brick walls, and just like the clubs back Of course, his later teen years opened up taught linguistics at several southern East, the lighting is minimal. The only the opportunities to hear jazz in clubs, the California colleges and universities. things that might betray this as not being a venues that fostered the art form. “There Currently, he is the proprietor of North Park jazz club where Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie were a couple other guys with me in high Native Plants, a company that installs Parker took the stage are the large flat school who were really into music. We used xeriscape landscaping using the native flora Interior of El Take It Easy screen television and the lack of cigarette to share records with each other. At the of San Diego. “I really like what I do,” he smoke that was de rigueur for the great jazz time the legal age to drink was 18, so when says. “I liked to go hiking out in nature, and spots of the forties and fifties. to find. “The music is just perfect for the phere to have in San Diego. Something we were 17 we were able to get into clubs I got interested in the native flora. I like my And it is the music from 50 and 60 years space,” says Michael McGuan, the meat about the quality of the music that this down in the East Village,” he remembers. work because it’s partly physical and partly ago, when be-bop was in its heyday, that is maven for the restaurant. Stephy Tait, who space contains very well.” He lists off a who’s who of jazz, including creative. And it’s tearing down an archaic featured for the jazz night. While sipping can be found behind the bar and handling * All the music played on the Monday’s Jazz Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, and and wasteful paradigm where people try to some wine or noshing from the restaurant’s the beer menu agrees, and she has become Night comes from Hudson’s collection of long- McCoy Tyner, whom he and his friends make California look like someplace else, off-the-beaten-path menu, which contains something of a jazz convert. “I hated jazz,” play record albums (LPs). Made of vinyl, they were able to see. “Also around about this like Australia or Hawaii. What I do has a lot such gastronomic adventures as pork belly she says, “but now I love it.” predate mp3s. LPs were the predominant form time the loft scene developed. One night it to do with maintaining the identity of a tacos and octopus tostadas, the restaurant’s Hudson plans to continue the jazz night of playing recorded music from their introduc - was just me and my buddies and maybe two place.” patrons are treated to a lineup of be-bop’s for at least the next year, and he feels that it tion in the 1940s until they were displaced by other people, and we were able to see The bop and the atmosphere of El Take great headliners, such as Sonny Stitt, Dexter is a developing scene. “It’s a rare atmos - compact disks (CDs) in the 1980s. Rashied Ali play at Ali’s Attic for hours. He It Easy combine in an alchemy that is hard Gordon, and Bud Powell. Starting at around 7:30 in the evening, Wes Hudson mans the music console that stands at the end of the bar. Reaching for a crate full of record albums,* most of which bear the distinctive Special Opportunity for Advertisers! covers of the Blue Note and Capitol record labels, he pulls a Billy Eckstine record from its sleeve and queues it up on one of the Our ad rates are going up January 1. Reserve a large LP platters. Hudson initiated the jazz space now (or by January 15 at the latest) and nights, and all the music that he plays on Monday night comes from his personal you pay last year’s price for as many consecutive record collection. For him, the sounds of ads as you want! Regular advertisers stay at the the boppers, who were stretching the rules of harmony and putting the pedal to the same rate they’ve been paying. metal of breakneck tempos, was jazz’s high watermark. “For the restaurant I’ll play stuff going all the way back to the thirties like Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. I’ll play stuff from the sixties, too, but for me the year is 1949. Stuff from back then around that time has a certain intensity, just great stuff,” he says. Hudson came up with the idea of the jazz night as a way of getting back in touch with the music that has been his lifelong passion. He says, “One day I looked at my record collection and realized that I hadn’t listened to it for a while and I needed a push to start listening to it again.” It was around this time that Hudson had dropped into El Take It Easy. DJs were playing pop music for the Saturday night crowd. He asked the owner, Jay Porter, if he could have a time when he could play his collection of jazz recordings. Three months later, jazz night has become a regular presentation of the restaurant. Growing up in Manhattan during the fifties and sixties, Hudson has always been drawn to jazz. He says, “This is maybe my first memory about music that really stands out for me as a kid. I was five years old and I remember my father playing a record. It was Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz playing ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing.’ I remember the opening melody. It really grabbed me. It was absolutely fascinating.” Hudson started collecting records as soon

6 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

by Mike Alvarez Yet he admirably fulfills his function of driving the songs forward with his solid great deal of music that has stood and creative drumming, whether it be Family Time with the test of time was borne of acri - with a stripped down kit or a full one. Amony and strife. Whether it be Like many bass players, David Ybarra within the mind of a single artist or a comes across as an affable, down-to-earth Folding Mr. Lincoln struggle between creative collaborators, fellow who can keep a friendly conversa - the work that results is imbued with a tion going with just about anyone. His raw emotion and edginess that sets it easy going demeanor perfectly suits his n

We’re more like a string band than hard e apart from its contemporaries. The tor - role as a bassist. It is his steady and reli - s r country.” One of the first things he e tured psyche of Richard Wagner and the able basslines that keep the music d n A

addresses is the fact that he doesn’t sing. legendary fist fights between Pete anchored. After Harry writes a song, he s i

Although he has done so in other bands, n n

Townshend and Roger Daltrey are proof creates a scratch track to e-mail to band e D

he notes that “this band has a vocal that what’s bad for the artist isn’t neces - members so they may familiarize them - : o t

sound: two men and two women who o sarily bad for the art. The country/ selves with the new material. It’s not h P Americana sextet Folding Mister Lincoln uncommon for Ybarra to immediately add have sung together for a year. It doesn’t takes a decidedly different approach to his distinctive five-string grooves to these sound right with extra voices.” He also making their music. While there will demos. A band member for two years, he notes that the band is comprised of “good always be differences of opinion, band - brings much more than his musicality listeners. We hear the music in the same leader Harry Mestyanek and his wife, and impeccable bass playing to the table. way but on different instruments. We’re a Nancy, make sure that a strong sense of His expertise with modern digital record - relatively ego-less band as far as solos go. family exists among all of the group’s ing technology makes him an indispensa - Although I hate to use a cliché, we really members. The weekly rehearsal at their ble member of the team. When he joined, do play things to serve the song. home starts with dinner and an hour or he also brought along the person who Sometimes the guitar or violin parts are so of casual conversation that allows may have turned out to be the band’s background. If neither of us feels it, we do without a solo. We let Harry’s voice Folding Mr. Lincoln at a recent gig. Left to right: Nancy Mestyanek, Charlie Loach, everyone to get caught up with each secret weapon: fiddler Alicia Previn. Harry Mestyanek, Jeff Stasny, Alicia Previn, Dave Ybarra other. As Harry relates, “I feel very Ybarra recalls, “Alicia and I played in the carry the song during these times.” Of strongly about the ‘family’ aspect of this same church and I dragged her along to a that voice he has received high praise, n e

being often compared to Lester Flatt, one s band. We work hard at creating and rehearsal. She had a violin and we coaxed r e

of his favorites. “I get the same unpreten - d maintaining an environment that fosters her into playing.” Classical music listen - n A

tious vibe from Harry. It just flows.” s this dynamic. Sharing a meal each week, ers should immediately recognize her last i n n spending some ‘dinner-table’ time togeth - name, as she is the daughter of legendary Nancy provides a sweet contrast to e D

Harry’s voice, getting many opportunities : o er, and discussing what’s going on in each classical composer and conductor Andre t o

to sing lead as well as harmony. She is h of our lives is important. It then allows us Previn. She readily admits to a plethora of P to approach the music as a team. There non-classical influences, however. “When also a skilled percussionist, playing have been times where Charlie and I dis - I was young, people wanted me to play bodhran, djembe, and tambourine, always agreed and there have been one or two with [Jascha] Heifetz and that terrified finding the right spot to complement the times where David and I have gotten side- me. I listened to horn players and gui - already solid rhythm section. ways with one another about this or that. tarists, not string players. But the violin is It’s always revealing to see how a band But we have always been able to work the instrument I learned, so I just play operates at rehearsal where the actual through those discussions fairly and equi - it.” Loach concurs, stating that Previn nuts and bolts of the creative process are tably and with respect, because of this “plays like a guitar player; she hears parts laid bare. They are casual but efficient ‘family’ relationship we have established.” like a guitar player.” During the March when setting up and on this evening Lead guitarist Charlie Loach immediately 2009 concert to celebrate the release of Previn starts a jam by playing the famous confirms the wisdom of this approach, their CD Within My Reach , Previn played lick from “Kashmir” (she is also a mem - stating that “for the first time I feel like I parts that were originally recorded on ber of Dazed and Confused, a Led really belong in a band.“As might be banjo, pedal steel guitar, and even organ. Zeppelin tribute band). Ybarra and Stasny Nancy and Harry Mestyanek expected, drummer Jeff Stasny is the According to Ybarra, “the CD’s produc - quickly pick it up and they have some jokester of the bunch, interjecting sharp- tion was awesome, but we learned how to fun, but the whole band gets down to witted remarks and puns into the conver - boil it down to what could be played business quickly when everyone is ready. sation at the most opportune moments. live.” Harry calls out a new tune and the band need to be nailed down, it seems that the Folding Mister Lincoln got off the “I’m here for the food!” After sheepishly Loach has actually spent a lot of time launches into it, demonstrating a more song’s final form is not far off. As the ground in 2006 when Harry and Nancy admitting to having a “blue” sense of thinking about the band’s sound, saying than passing familiarity with the arrange - evening progresses, it is easy to see the decided to start a band after a long hiatus humor, he cheekily laments that “I’m not that “we’re Southern Californians but ment. Breaks and changes flow smoothly. nonverbal communication happening from music due to career and family allowed to have a microphone onstage.” have more of an Appalachian sound. Though there are still a few details that among the musicians. Loach and Previn responsibilities. As Nancy relates, they seamlessly trade solos and step back playfully coined the name when they when it’s someone else’s turn to take the received a five dollar bill in change from a lead. These band members are truly gen - waitress while dining out. “We weren’t erous with one another. Under Harry’s serious, but every time we referred to the direction, input from all band members is band we seemed to use it. So it stuck!” taken into consideration. Although their Harry adds that they could have selected music is serious business, somberness is another president, “but Lincoln was good not the tone of the session. The easy ban - because his name evokes the Americana ter and gentle teasing at the dinner table genre.” Not surprisingly, friends send him carry over to the rehearsal room. Stasny pictures of Lincoln automobiles, and even takes advantage of a break in the more often than not, five dollar bills find action to speak glowingly about the small their way into the tip jar when they play, drum kit he is playing. folded, of course. Since its formation, the band has played a lot of gigs and done a fair amount of recording. Within My Reach was nominated for Best Country/ Americana album at the 2009 San Diego Music Awards and garnered many critical accolades. Their latest release, Folding Mister Lincoln Live , was recorded at a May 2010 concert at Old Time Music, and was also well-received. They have played at many major local festivals, including Roots Festivals (2009), Indie-Fest (2010), and Adams Avenue Street Fair (2010). Some of their favorite venues are Wynola Pizza Express in Julian and Rebecca’s Coffeehouse in South Park where Harry and Nancy also perform every first Sunday of the month. So great is their desire to play that they regularly do inti - mate shows as an acoustic duo with spe - cial guests. Yet it is when the full lineup comes together that Folding Mister Lincoln is at its most potent. The sense of unity and family they work so hard to cultivate brings out the best in everyone. Guitarist Loach said it best when he declared, “I am called to play this music,” leaving no doubt that this is a sentiment shared by everyone in the band. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 7 JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

by Steve Thorn

d the earth from nuclear annihilation in the i s

u original version of The Day the Earth h C By day, may Michael Rennie n Stood Still . Born in New Hampshire, a

D be the model of a multi-tasking adminis - : Rennie moved with his family to the o t trator, meeting the latest deadline and o h

warmer climate of New Port Richey, P outlining the next season’s calendar. As Florida. It was there in the small town, executive director of the Poway Center for the surrounded by orange groves, where he Performing Arts became interested in music. “There was a woman at the church my family went to Foundation, the behind-the- that heard me listening to a Dylan scenes efforts of Rennie and his staff con - record,” said Rennie. “She said, ‘Do you tribute to the successful outcome of a two play guitar?’ She was an old hippie; she or three-hour performance. played guitar, and she taught me how to However, on some nights, it is Rennie play ‘Blowing in the Wind.’ And that’s how who is on stage as a guitarist I got started...she taught me how to play for Rio Peligroso, a band that a G, an E-minor, a C, and a D. For about deftly combines roots two years that’s all I played – with Americana with edgy independ - increasing expertise. Somebody gave me a ent rock. Dylan songbook, and those songs are easy From the required office business to learn for a beginning guitarist. The attire to cowboy boots – that’s quite a con - thing that was so appealing about for trast. But Rennie sees a connec- those stripped-down Dylan songs was tion – and a passion – in his two that when you listen to those recordings different public roles. “For what it’s like ‘My Back Pages,’ ‘Blowing in the worth, I’m constantly surprised by the Wind,’ ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’’ – number of interesting all those early acoustic hits – those are parallels between my job and my fully realized songs with just a guy and a current band,” said Rennie, relaxing after acoustic guitar. And for a kid growing up taking a bike ride near the Normal in the ’70s and ’80s, that was something Heights residence he shares with his wife, of a revelation; to hear that just one guy Kristy. Rennie was comfortable speaking with an acoustic guitar could make music. on a number of topics, which began with a That was very appealing.” simple tape recording of answers in After high school, Rennie attended the Normal Heights, followed by a more invig - University of Florida at Gainesville. The orating podcast session at Berkley Sound success of the Florida Gators football Studio in Clairemont two days later. team over the last decade has, at times, “Both are essentially curatorial exercis - overshadowed the city’s reputation as a es – an attempt to both please an audi - z music town. Four decades ago native son e n i ence and introduce them to something t r Tom Petty was performing in the band he a they may not be familiar with.” M

recently united: Mudcrutch. When he r e Rennie said, “[My] professional world h p wasn’t pursuing academics (he earned a o t

s and my musical worlds have been two i bachelor’s degree in journalism with a r h very distinct and separate activities. The C

minor in drama as literature), Rennie was : o t day job was the arts administrator gig o looking for performing opportunities. It h and then I would quietly moonlight as a P was the time period (’80s and ’90s) where musician in the evening. Most of my life I many Southern bands were abandoning played in all-original [compositions] the extended jam sessions of Lynyrd bands, so I was writing music with other Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers for the people. And when I had the idea to form alternative rock movement that found Rio Peligroso a couple years ago, the idea Victor. “[We were] guitar-heavy rock à la them to get some traction in San Diego, great favor with college radio stations. really was to form a cover band that I Pixies or Sugar. We actually had a Whip and that’s a shame. They played their Memphis’ Big Star broke ground in the like, a cover band that performed not the the Victor reunion show at the Tiki House farewell show December 18 at ’70s followed by the phenomenal success tried-and-true canon of cover songs that in Pacific Beach in 2008 just before I Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge. I sat in on of Athens’ R.E.M. in the ’80s. we’ve heard a million times but to try and formed Rio Peligroso. Our drummer is a a couple songs.” Gainesville has a great band scene,” work up songs that I like, songs that I teacher in LA, and the bass player is a Yes, it was a shame for Roxy would feel some pride in introducing an surfer. He lives in Pensacola, but will use Monoxide. The final show had that mix - audience to. So in that regard, I saw it as any excuse to come surf San Diego.” ture of the “last set” fun and excitement sort of a curatorial exercise. When Rennie completed his sojourn combined with a perceptual sadness of “It’s almost like hanging pictures in a from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, he being witness to a musical bon voyage. museum or an art gallery,” Rennie joined San Diego power pop band Roxy After performing with two other San explained. “You are usually going there Monoxide. In addition to playing at the Diego bands – AM Vibe and Indigo – with a mindset that you are going to be Adams Avenue Street Fair (just a stone’s Rennie launched Rio Peligroso into the exposed to something new. And that very throw from the Rennie home), Roxy per - music orbit in 2008. It was goodbye to much parallels my day job, where as the formed at the prestigious International power pop and hello to the high lonesome executive director of the Poway Center for Pop Overthrow music festival in Los sound of joshua trees and dusty honky Rennie with Bicycle Thiefs in Gainesville, 1991. the Performing Arts Foundation, a big Angeles and San Diego. It’s the band tonks. “There’s a scene in the Jerry Lee part of my job is to put together a per - where many San Diegans recall seeing said Rennie. “A college town with lots of forming arts series. That evolves to some the transplanted Floridian play for the musicians, cheap/free practice space, and degree of ‘giving the audience what they first time. During his five-year time frame There’s a scene in … Great many venues. Bicycle Thieves [named want.’ But there is a curatorial component (2003-2008), Rennie saw many band Balls of Fire … where Jerry after the classic Italian film] was my first to that as well. We see the stage as some - members go through a revolving door of band, an alternative rock/power-pop band Lee [Lewis] is playing a rough- thing of a sacred space – it’s a portal, it’s lineups. But one constant was Rennie that I fronted before I knew what power and-tumble roadhouse in the a way for us to bring artists into that sharing the stage with Roxy’s guiding pop was. We just knew we loved catchy community that might not otherwise per - light, Scott Samuels. “With a relatively South. [He] plays against a choruses, guitar hooks, and pop song form there. It’s a way to expose our audi - new marriage and career in full swing, it structures. Highly influenced by R.E.M., backdrop of dancing, fighting, ence to talents they might not otherwise was nice to scale back to being ‘just the the Pixies, and all things alt. rock circa broken bottles, unbridled lust, have a chance to see.” guitarist’ in this band. Scott Samuels’ 1988. We sold 500 copies of our now-out- Rennie insists that he wasn’t named power-pop songs run the gamut from and revelry. It’s a gorgeous of-print cassette. Remember cassettes?” after the dashing British actor, Michael Pretenders/Blondie pop to T.Rex stomp mess; I always romanticized After Bicycle Thieves took its final Rennie, perhaps best remembered as the and heavier fare. They have been at it for ride, Rennie opted for a more aggressive that roadhouse experience. compassionate alien being trying to save nearly a decade, but it’s been hard for sound with the group called Whip the 8 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

“At the same time, oddly enough, I was kind of knew all the typical things people printed page to Poway’s concert stage. reading a lot of rock biographies, which I would complain about – ‘I didn’t like the Recent seasons have showcased legendary hadn’t done much of in my life. One of the language; I didn’t like seeing a part of a performers Roger McGuinn [The Byrds] things that really jumped out at me was body that I don’t usually see.’” and John Sebastian [The Lovin’ Spoonful], that all of the really great bands of the Rennie maintained a fairly high bat - Tom Rush, Kris Kristofferson, Leo Kottke, rock era – and I’m talking about the ting percentage in the art of conflict reso - Leon Redbone, and Peter Yarrow [Peter, Beatles, the Stones, the Byrds, the Who – lution. “For the most part, I was fairly Paul, and Mary]. that cut their teeth playing covers: the decent in talking people ‘off the ledge,’ as When asked how Poway was surviving Beatles in the Cavern Club, the Stones it were.” the bumpy roller coaster ride of the econo - with their blues. The Byrds would play In 2003, Rennie left Balboa Park and my, Rennie was upbeat. “For one thing, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ at clubs on the the Old Globe for the northern inland. He we’re a relatively small operation. There Sunset Strip. I don’t want to be an abso - speaks positively of the progressive sup - are only three staffers, so we don’t have a lutist about this, but a lot of musicians I port of the arts in Poway. “I want to clari - lot of overhead. We are supported hand - knew kind of skipped that step. If you fy that I work for the Poway Center for somely by the city. That support has been came of age in the post-punk era, it seems the Performing Arts Foundation, which is diminished in recent years, so we are like there was this incredible stigma to an independent, not-for-profit [founda - looking for ways to shore up the loss in playing covers. It seems like as soon as tion], created by the city of Poway to book city funding. We’ve had some success you could play three chords, you had to be professional performances at the center. courting corporate sponsors, we have a writing songs and performing original The center gets used for a variety of very supportive base of individual music. I get the nobility of that sentiment donors.” but I think it also leads to a lot of musi - One of ways the center has survived Rennie in Pioneertown with Rio Peligroso cians skipping an essential step in their these uncertain times is to reduce the development, namely, learning from the I was just enamored with the number of shows in a season. “We try not masters. Stand on the shoulders of whole Southern California to measure our success purely in terms of giants – there’s a catalog of music waiting ‘SoCal’ country rock. I just attendance,” said Rennie. “Obviously, you to be learned. A lot of musicians just skip wanted to wrap myself up with want to see people come into your shows. that; they get along great without ever But there are always those shows in your having a cover ‘phase.’ But a lot of people the ghost of Gram Parsons and lineup that are the ‘boutique acts.’ If you go straight from learning three chords to sing Byrds songs all afternoon. get 300 people walk out of there just writing a lot of mediocre material.” stunned by what they saw … I would In a moment of self-confession, Rennie count that a success. Personally I’m cau - paused, laughed, and said, “I raise my things – school groups, community tious about measuring success purely in hand high! I was definitely one of those groups. And I think the city has been terms of ticket revenue. If it’s a great musicians. So, I got really excited over incredibly progressive. Years ago, the city show, and that audience comes out glow - this notion of going back and learning decided [the center] should be available to ing, that’s a ‘win’ in my book. But to Rio Peligroso at Pappy & Harriet’s Byrds songs, Hank Snow songs, early the full spectrum of use – community address your concerns about the economy, Elvis tunes – all of the staples of the early groups, school groups, and also to be a we’ve had to do fewer shows. Hopefully, z e country rock and country genre. But at portal for national acts to come and per - that will turn around. I would love to be n i t r a the same time, having this kind of curato - form for inland North County. We have a back up doing 15, 20 shows in another

M r rial bent, I thought it would be cool if we charge from the city to put together a per - three to five years. But it’s going to take e h p o could mix it up with alternative rock and formance series that serves the entire bigger gifts from corporations and individ - t s i r country rock. You’ll hear us match up a community. That’s a tall order, because uals and municipalities. And, hopefully, h

C

: Camper Van Beethoven song with a the community is disparate. We have sen - artists who value working over holding o t o h Byrds’ song, go from a Hank Snow song iors, we have youth, we have baby out for high ticket payoffs.” P into an early R.E.M. number. I always boomers, we have Gen-Xers, we have peo - February 2, 2011 marks the 52th want there to be this balance between old ple in their peak earning years, we have anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death in a and new and obscure and semi-popular people who are retirees. Our charge is to rural Iowa plane crash. The Poway Center

Rio Peligroso at Humphrey’s earlier this year without ever being obvious. You’ll never try and present an eclectic mix of shows for the Performing Arts Center will be cel - hear us play [Van Morrison’s] ‘Brown- that represent the full spectrum of the ebrating the life of the seminal rock and Eyed Girl.’ We might play ‘Into the performing arts. We always try to have roller with a live presentation, Rave On! , Lewis biopic Great Balls of Fire that Mystic,’ but you’re not going to hear some theater in the mix and we do very starring Billy McGuigan as Holly. Tickets always stuck with me. It’s the scene ‘Brown-Eyed Girl.’ well with live concerts. Family program - are now on sale for the Saturday evening, where Jerry Lee is playing a rough-and- Past members of Rio Peligroso have ming looms large in our mix as well.” February 26th performance. Visit tumble roadhouse in the South,” said included David Lizerbram, bass and Another community well represented www.powayarts.org Rennie. “Jerry plays against a backdrop of vocals (founding member); Dan Broder, as the center are fans of acoustic music, dancing, fighting, broken bottles, unbri - guitar and vocals; Mike Pope, guitar and and many artists championed in the Hear the Michael Rennie podcast online! dled lust, and revelry. It’s a gorgeous vocals; Keith Hamman, pedal steel; and Troubadour have made the leap from the Go to: www.sandiegotroubadour.com mess, and I always romanticized that Greg Peters, pedal steel. The current line - ‘roadhouse’ experience. Rio Peligroso was up features Rennie and Todd Caschetta,

fueled in part by that vision. It was also d i drums (founding member); Darko s u

fueled by a desire to play for different h

C Petrovic, bass and vocals (formerly of crowds – maybe the sort of audience who n a

Roxy Monoxide); and Alex Watts, guitar D

have no idea who the Velvet Underground : o t

(also of the Seventh Day Buskers). o is but still want to shake it to some live h When Rennie arrived in San Diego in P music. It was also born out of a love for 2000, he was assigned the position of SoCal country rock and the music that associate director of marketing for the Old formed it – traditional country and rock.” Globe Theatre. One of the more interest - Rennie has Mother Nature to thank for ing aspects of the job was Rennie serving his vision. “There were a lot of things that as the voice of what could best be led to me forming this band. One was that described as an “audio” complaint window. I was hiking with my wife in Sequoia “One of my roles was that if the box office National Park, looking at the golden got an irate customer that they just could - rolling hills and the sprawling live oaks n’t make happy, I was the guy that got and I had this moment where I was just that call. They would transfer the call enamored with the whole Southern upstairs to me. I loved that role; I encour - California ‘SoCal’ country rock. I just aged [the staff] to send those people to wanted to wrap myself up with the ghost me. It was a lot of fun to take somebody of Gram Parsons and sing Byrds songs all who was really irate about some little con - afternoon. I just thought I could have so tent issue, and if I did my job well – just much fun doing that in a band. Wouldn’t kind of turn them around – I’d bring them that be awesome! back to the family. I got pretty good at it. I Rennie being interviewed by Steve Thorn in the studio, December 2010 www.sandiegotroubadour.com 9 JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’ Bluegrass CORNER by Sven-Erik Seaholm by Dwight Worden

THE CHAPMAN FAMILY COMES TO — Alison Brown, who grew up in San NEW YEAR , N EW THINKING examines deeper things with regard Sven-Erik Seaholm SAN DIEGO Diego and went on to become a top to one’s own relationship with banjo player, having won banjo player of he new year is again upon us music. Through an almost Zen-like the year in 1991, also has a master’s and as 2010’s calendar pages dialog with some very unusual char - of what a world-class musician degree from Harvard University in busi - float to the rain-soaked pave - acters, the author relays a series of Wooten has shown himself to be for ness administration, has worked in the T ment like so many fallen leaves, experiences wherein music itself is quite some time. In my opinion, any finance industry, and is a co-founder and many of us take time to reflect upon broken down into its essential ele - chance to receive this level of musi - owner of the prominent independent those days that stretch out behind ments; each one is then reconsidered record label Compass Records. This cal insight and guidance from some - from a unique perspective. In seeing Grammy-winning banjo player is hardly a us…as well as those that still lie one so accomplished is a rare and these new angles on something we’re “hick.” ahead. Sure, there’s always something worthwhile treat. that could be better in our lives, and all so presumably familiar with Recently I received a ukulele to — Janet Beazley, who lives in San Diego often we go about the business of (music), we may become inspired by evaluate for a future review. After As we enter the new year of 2011 there is and works at Old Time Music is also a improving them by way of resolu - an entirely new set of joyfully plunking around on it for a much good bluegrass to look forward to banjo player. She plays with the national - tions for the new year. possibilities…or at least, that was my while, I began to randomly hand it here in San Diego. Coming up on Sunday, ly, and internationally, touring Chris Many of these involve either get - experience. January 23, the San Diego Bluegrass Stuart and Backcountry band. You may to people, just to watch and listen to ting rid of some of our less desirable Society presents the nationally not know, however, that she is more what they did with it. acclaimed Chapman Family in concert at appropriately called Dr. Beazley as she behaviors (i.e., no more smoking, One thing I immediately noticed the First Baptist Church of Pacific Beach has a PhD in early music. She can talk drinking, or late night snacks, etc.), was that each person played it in a located at 4747 Soledad Mt. Road. The viola Da Gamba with you just as easily while others are more constructively very unique way, as if they all had concert starts at 7pm with a 30-minute and intelligently as Scruggs style three- oriented, like being a more com - their own signature approach to an opening set by standout bluegrass band finger banjo picking. The “hick” label pelling songwriter or just making instrument that most had only a the Full Deck, a great local band sure to hardly fits this talented doctor. better recordings. In the final analy - passing familiarity with. That people provide great music and humor. The sis, virtually all of us have something can “speak” with such a distinctive, Chapmans will come on at 7:30 and will — Marty Levin is considered by many to or another in our selves or our lives confident voice without prior train - play until 9pm. be the premier local news anchor who that we’d like to improve upon. ing, formal or otherwise, strikes very The Chapman family band is com - does an excellent job of television news - Recently, I happened upon a near the heart of where this thought - prised of parents Bill and Patti and their casting for the past several decades. book that someone else had left out ful and insightful book comes from. three boys John, Jeremy, and Jason. What you may not know, however, is that in the studio. I’m pretty finicky Together they provide tight, driving, Marty is also an accomplished banjo Buy an extra copy. You’ll want to intense energy that has brought them player. I dare you to call him a hick. about what I read, so entire books pass it on to another music fan or aren’t something I’m always neces - national recognition. Here is what some — Hideo Chino, recently deceased, was practitioner. sarily engaged in. After cursorily of the top bluegrass publications and a juvenile court judge as well as a talent - Sven-Erik Seaholm is an award-win - skimming through it though, I start - leaders have to say about this outstand - ed guitar flatpicker who performed in ning independent record producer, per - ed at the beginning and over the ing band: several local bluegrass bands including former, and recording artist. His com - course of the next few weeks ‘shared’ ...They are excellent, all of them. the Tonewoods. pany Kitsch & Sync Production the book with its owner. The —Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine. — Dwight Worden, who writes this col - (kaspro.com) provides recording, mas - progress of our bookmarks eventually tering, graphic design, consultations, ...They already deserve to be counted umn and plays bass and fiddle in several revealed to us the slow, deliberate As I mentioned earlier, just as we and CD manufacturing services. Call among the premiere family bands in blue - local bluegrass bands including Gone manner we both shared in soaking in are all unique as artists and people, him at 619-287-1955 to inquire grass music... Tomorrow and Prairie Sky, is also an the tome’s contents, and we decided so too will our interpretations vary. about Special Winter Rates. —Tim Stafford , Blue Highway attorney and has served in public office. we’d only exchange our thoughts Some felt that it simplified and These are only a few examples of One of the most promising new groups in after we’d both finished reading it. demystified the process of making prominent San Diego bluegrass musi - bluegrass. I find it rare for a book to inspire music. Others found that it embold - cians who are anything but hicks. The —Bluegrass Now Magazine this sort of awe, wonder, and sheer ened them into giving more confi - story at the national level is the same, focus from its readers (insert valid dent performances. Some found it to Put the Chapmans high up on the list of with Steve Martin of Hollywood fame be spiritual. bluegrass bands to watch. being a very serious performing and tour - teen romance vampire novel series My personal feeling was that it —Pete Wernick ing banjo player, and Gwyneth Paltrow reference here), but I’ve recommend - The Chapmans won the award in 1998 acknowledging that she listens to blue - ed it to a few folks and they’ve all put me back in touch with the more for Best Bluegrass Band from the Society grass music because of its quality and to mentioned how profound it was to innocent and carefree approach of for Preservation of Bluegrass Music in hone and focus her acting skills. them in one way or another. I really my musical beginnings, before a America and have toured in over 30 As they say, you cannot tell the book don’t mean to build this up as some career and other pursuits took up states. They will be making their first by looking at the cover. So the next time mysterious, ancient text of undiscov - more space in my life. I just feel a lit - appearance in San Diego. So, if Sunday you see someone with a banjo in his or ered truths or whatever (well, maybe tle more free, a little more willing to the 23rd is available for you, consider her hands and someone jumps to the a just a little). It’s just that it’s a very take chances, a little better at con - attending. Admission is free; donations stereotypical presumption that you’re different sort of book, one that each tributing to whatever musical dialog will be solicited. looking at a “hick,” understand that you reader will experience a little differ - I’m in, be it as a musician or produc - BLYTHE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL are probably wrong. ently, based upon their own experi - er. The annual Blythe Bluegrass Festival ROB ICKES WINS $50,000 FELLOWSHIP ences and interpretations. It’s interesting to note that takes place over the weekend of January United States Artists, an organization The Music Lesson by Victor L. author Victor Wooten is the long- 14-16. The lineup is impressive, com - dedicated to supporting America’s finest Wooten ( Berkley Books, $15 paperback ) time bassist for Bela Fleck and the prised of Ralph Stanley II, Chris Jones & artists working across diverse disci - takes us on an inventive, original, Flecktones. If you’re familiar with the Night Drivers, Dave Peterson & 1946, plines, announced the selection of Rob and sometimes kooky voyage that their music, then you’re also aware IIIrd Generation Bluegrass, the Blue Ickes as the 2010 United States Artists Canyon Boys, Wayne Taylor and Cummings Fellow. Rob is 12-time winner Appaloosa, Silverado, Thomas Porter & of the “Dobro player of the year” award Copper River Band, Monroe Crossing, from IBMA and plays with standout blue - Virtual Strangers, Plow, the Kid Fiddlers, grass band Blue Highway. and Grasslands. For tickets and informa - The USA Fellows program awards a tion: www.blythebluegrass.com. $50,000 grant to 50 artists each year in BYRON BERLINE COMING TO TOWN the disciplines of music, theater arts, Coming up on March 20th at AMSD visual arts, dance, literature, media, Concerts will be multi-time fiddle champ crafts/traditional arts, and architecture/ Byron Berline and his great bluegrass design. Ickes is the first artist with roots band. We’ll provide more information as in bluegrass music to be named a USA this concert approaches. Fellow. His work spans multiple genres, However you slice it, the first three and Ickes plans to use his fellowship to months of 2011, are set up to present explore “the amazing amount of open some great Bluegrass in San Diego. space that remains for innovative work to make the Dobro truly an instrument with - BLUEGRASS ISN’T JUST FOR HICKS out boundaries.” His creative focus also ANYMORE includes “developing technical Have you ever encountered someone approaches that fully exploit the extraor - who thinks that Bluegrass musicians are dinary textural range and rich voicings all a bunch of hicks? Sadly, that inaccu - unique to this instrument.” rate stereotype still persists in some Congratulations Rob! Add Rob’s quarters, even here in San Diego. Here is $50,000 to the $50,000 Steve Martin prize some ammo that you can use to counter given in 2010 to banjo player Noam this undeserved stereotype the next time Pikelny, and hey, that’s a hundred grand! you encounter this prejudice. Who says there is no money in blue - grass! 10 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Radio Daze Hosing Down Philosophy, Art, Culture, & Music by José Sinatra KNOW THYSELF StAgeS A whole bunch of worthy interview subjects showed up for the Troubadour Christmas party a couple of weeks of expired time ago. I passed on Paul McCartney, who’s nearly been done to by Peter Bolland shoulders for the long walk home. death. Gloria Allred passed on the party, One morning when she reached the perhaps to our mutual benefit. The Byrds’ THROUGH THE CRACKS village she noticed that one of the jars Gene Clark passed on some long time ago, was a lot lighter than the other one. She and hadn’t been invited to the party any - “No one should abandon duties because looked behind her and saw a thin line of way. Amid all the music and holiday punch he sees defects in them. Every action, dark, damp soil alongside the path. One and second-hand medicinal panacea and by Jim McInnes every activity is surrounded by defects as of her jars was cracked. non-existant pole dancers, some exuberant a fire is surrounded by smoke.” “What a shame,” she thought, “what a chick grabbed me from behind in a promis - Things to (P)remember – Krishna, Bhagavad Gita 18:48 waste. My stupid, leaky jar has wasted ing bear hug. Slobbering around my left About 2011 water and wasted my time.” cheek (the hot, sexy one) and ear, she The Hose. Dudes bleed too … n every creative act – from planting a She told her grandmother about the loudly told me what a fascinating fellow t’s a new year, which means it’s time garden to writing a song, from baking leaky jar. she found me to be. Then, she asked if I beloved pure-bred Siamese cat, Puddles, for my (now) annual list of 13 things Ia cake to raising a child – you fall “It’s OK,” she said, “just do the best was “for real.” I promised her that I’d do who had obviously been enjoying the final I to look for over the next 12 months! short of the ideal. Nothing ever comes you can.” my best to find out that very night and that moments of her ninth life over at the pira - Some of this stuff might happen: out quite the way you thought it would. Everyday for many weeks the young if I did, I’d be sure to let her know. So, nha pond. The aim for perfection sharpens our girl continued to do her best, but every - 1. There will be a big-budget animated Jewel (I think), this one’s for you. To understand the Hose, you have to decisions and hones our actions. But in day the jar over her right shoulder leaked 3-D Hollywood feature film starring Perhaps if I were to interview myself, I understand one thing, and no one’s in the end we must abandon perfection and all the way home from the river. She the Geico Gecko. A lesser film will star decided, I might learn something to help me agreement as to what that one thing is. surrender to what is. There is no shame became increasingly frustrated. She even the animated workers from the better coexist with me. Maybe bringing two Puddles knew, but she’s not talking. Troy in acknowledging limitations. We have to began to hate the leaky jar. She felt like a Empire Flooring TV spots. of my personalities together could kickstart Danté thought he know, and hasn’t spoken learn to let the accidents along the way failure. a coming together of several of the others to Hose in years. 2. Some savvy Hollywood producer will lend their hand to the shape of things. Then one day the young girl woke up somewhere down the line. Wow. There “Can I ask you about José Sinatra and put together a movie package star - We don’t control most of what happens. with a terrible sickness. She was so weak must be something in the air… the Troy Danté Inferno?” Boy, I’m getting ring some of the weirdest-named None of us does anything alone. Every she couldn’t stand. No one in the village I cornered the Hose, who was standing nervy. actors in show business: Cord act of creation is an act of co-creation. knew what was wrong with her. For two in the rain toward the rear of the grounds, “Sure, I miss Troy more than I can say. Overstreet, Penn Badgely, Leighton I was writing a song the other day. I weeks she laid in her hut feeling awful. just behind the covered cockfighting ring. I It’s like he’s dead, but he’s alive, and it Meester, Blake Lively, and Creed had a couple of good verses, but I needed She didn’t know what was worse, the grabbed a folding chair/umbrella combo hurts like hell. I keep wishing … and I Bratton will star in The John Smith a chorus. I tried and tried and tried to sickness ravaging her body or the shame from the nearby piranha grotto and was miss his wife too. There’s this void that Story . wrest one from the ether, but I just could - of not being able to fulfill her duty. soon probing the mind of the man who seems to increase every time some idiot 3. KPBS-TV will switch formats and n’t find it. I settled on a woefully inade - Finally her strength returned. Her once (at least) famously said, “Curds and!” mentions the old band…” broadcast nothing but membership quate place-holder chorus, a stand-in grandmother came into the hut. in response to “no way!” “It’s not all dark, is it? I mean, you’ve campaign programs starring Celtic until the real chorus came along. Each “Come with me little one,” she said, “I José Sinatra. A resident of the United been linked lately with that Russian model, Woman, Rick Steves, Dr. Wayne Dyer, time I sang the song I cringed. I thought have something to show you.” States for at least three decades, the Hose and she’s –” and a handful of ‘50s doo-wop the chorus was awful. Then something They walked out onto the dusty path. has never succeeded at losing traces of “Gorgeous, sexy, rich, yeah. But what’s groups, each featuring at least one odd began to happen. As I sang the song The young girl couldn’t believe her eyes. the French/Bengali accent that few born of that really worth? When she has the IQ of original member. over and over, the place-holder chorus On one side of the path, the side where Swiss and Sudanese parents in Denmark a turtle? When we need an interpreter, started sounding better, as if it had been the leaky jar had spilled, a long line of 4. The “new look” Padres will recapture have been able to so successfully affect. even in our most private moments? the right one all along. The chorus wasn’t beautiful flowers grew. Orange poppies their 2008 form, and then some. The He was remarkably animated this night, in Somehow, she and I just don’t seem to the problem. The problem was me. and deep blue lupines wound along the Friars’ 60-102 record will be the worst a sort-of stop-motion rather than comput - speak the same language, really. I guess I recently performed the song for the path all the way down to the river, as if in baseball. Meanwhile, Adrian er-generated way. He’s easily excitable the thing that sustains me, ultimately, is a first time in front of a packed house. It the orange sun and the blue sky had Gonzalez’s Boston Red Sox will win when a particularly penetrating question newfound drive to do things honorably. got the loudest applause of the night. poured themselves out onto the earth. the World Series, bumping off the hits home; he’ll gesture wildly, thrusting That and the occasional desire to be dead, After the show, that was the only song “See,” her grandmother said, “there are Giants in seven games. into the moist air as if seeking some invisi - which eventually passes. people mentioned to me, again and again. no mistakes. The Great Spirit moves ble, priceless treasure in the bowels of a “What we did in the band was born of 5. The Chargers will finish 2011, their My initial knee-jerk rejection of the cho - through all things and works with what super-hot ghost. Then, within a moment he parody. Now, I try not to be a parody of a final season in San Diego, by going rus, based on who knows what, was way is, not with what should be. Remember becomes still, arms akimbo or persis kham - parody, and I miss the band, and if I go 16-0 and playing in the 2012 Super off. this when you are sad and angry at your batta, moved suddenly to tears by either through with plans for the new one (José Bowl against some team from the It’s important to discern the good from own imperfections.” the gravity of some inner conflict or the Sinatra and the Wet Spots), I’d want it to NFC. the bad, the effective from the ineffective, Inevitable flaws and unintended out - painful surprise of the seven-inch nail he be at least as good as the old one. But 6. This year’s Super Bowl will be won by to separate the wheat from the chaff. But comes plague all of our actions. Some of had just stepped on with his stockinged Troy Danté may have set the bar too high New England, 32-28, over Chicago. playful humility leavened with a dose of the outcomes are good, like flowers nour - right foot. … there’s as much chance of matching patience frees us from the tyranny of our ished by a leaky water vessel. Some out - 7. In September, Nissan will introduce a “Neither of those reasons, really,” he that level as there is of randomly tossing a prejudice. It is often in our best self-inter - comes are bad. Feed the homeless and smart phone that you can drive. It’ll answers before I can ask. And he explains: nail into the night, having a suicidal cat est to admit that we are wrong. What we you create a destructive cycle of depend - have one terabyte of memory and get “On the way over here, I had my driver pull notice it, charge it, and successfully end initially misjudge as bad might turn out ency. Write reasonable laws to protect 650 miles per watt. over a few blocks away when I noticed its unmanageable angst with a bullseye.” to be a hidden jewel not entirely of our people from poison and you fill the jails what appeared to be a naked homeless I suddenly feel we’re getting some - 8. Marijuana lounges with live music will own making. with harmless drug addicts. Send human - person, curled up and shivering in the where. Somewhere secretive, virginal. I become the rage in California. As a six year old boy living in Canada, itarian aid into war-torn regions and you Neil Young caught polio, a frightening grass outside a school playground. take a deep breath and recklessly jump in. 9. Several Wall Street investment bank enrich local warlords. The laws of karma disease of the nervous system that often Something like that puts things in perspec - “Mr. Sinatra, there’s a new year here and fat cats will be prosecuted for precipi - are beyond anyone’s control. No event left its victims without the use of one or tive. It’s a terrible situation, dangerous … I’ve heard of something going on that tating the worldwide financial melt - stems from a single cause, just as no more of their limbs. He recovered, but he I’ve been nearly busted several times for seems right up your alley.” down of 2008. (I was going to write, event results in a single effect. The best was never the same. I sometimes wonder being naked over by that same school, and “What? Troy’s gonna call me? He’s “Goldman Sachs execs die in plane we can do is to try to do what’s right, and if Neil Young would play guitar the way it ain’t no picnic. So, I figured … you know here? A ‘This Is Your Life’-type of thing? crash,” but I thought it might be in let go of the outcome. he does had he not contracted polio. … holiday season and all, that I could at Are you kidding me?” I think Hose was poor taste.) As we embrace our imperfection we least give the young lady my shoes. Not beginning to wet his pants. Would he hunch over his Les Paul a little know that there will always be collateral my socks, but at least she’d be able to “No, not that. It’s a competition, a con - 10. Polka-metal music. (It could happen. differently? Would he have become more damage as well as unintended beauty. It is walk comfortably to find someplace safer. I test happening at several clubs this month. There’s already been rap-metal of a finesse player instead of settling on our sacred duty to draw on the fire of our even autographed each shoe for her so she A regional thing, with finals in Palm music!) his trademark thumping claw hammer hearts and minds to light the world. And could make a few bucks selling them on Springs in February. It’s called 11. One of the Troubadour’s writers will style? Would he have written hundreds of where there’s fire there’s smoke. eBay. Once she’s back on her feet.” ParodyOkee – you rewrite lyrics and per - have a national hit song on the brilliant songs about the pain of isolation Perfectionism prevents action because “Very kind of you.” form your own twisted versions of popular radio. I’m not saying who, though. I and loneliness had he not suffered the no outcome is ever perfect. Only those “Yeah And being nice ends up putting songs in a Karaoke setting. Big Bucks. The don’t want to tip her off. terror of a life-threatening disease at such willing to make peace with imperfection, a tender age? “Behind every beautiful only those willing to let there be cracks in this nail through my foot? Since when do kind of stuff you always did with Troy, 12. For the first time since Kyu thing there’s been some kind of pain,” the world, only those willing to let their you get crucified for doing something when nobody did it better.” Sakamoto’s “Sukiyaki,” in 1963, an sang Bob Dylan in his song “It’s Not Dark work be flawed leave space enough for good? Oh, uh, oops. My bad. What I mean “Oh. And you expect me to get excited Asian-language song will be a hit in Yet.” It is from our wounds and imperfec - the good to get in. If you say no to imper - is, uh, my kharma’s sorta screwy.” about this now, without Troy Danté?” the U.S. Hong Kong-based singer Ho tions that beauty arises. If we really fection, you rob the world of the light “I know how you feel.” “No, Mr. Sinatra, I expect you to win.” Li Kao will hit number 30 in understood this would we rush to mask that gets in through the cracks. “No, you don’t man. Nobody does.” He smiled, either unexpectedly touched September with the ballad, “Ng every flaw, numb every pain, and sand With this, he reached under the skewered by this optimistic idiot or grateful for still sha.” It will be sung entirely in Peter Bolland is a professor at Southwestern smooth the sharp edges of our lives? foot, grabbed the nail’s head. “But that having a leg to stand on. Cantonese, backed by the reunited College where he teaches eastern and west - naked girl’s gonna know how I feel, pretty “There is a crack in everything,” sang ern philosophy, ethics, world religions, and Regional ParodyOkee competitions are Black Sabbath. damned soon.” Leonard Cohen in his song “Anthem,” mythology. After work he is a poet, singer- being held this month at the following fine “What do you mean?” 13. The retirement age in the U.S. will “that’s how the light gets in.” songwriter, and author. He also leads an establishments: Mondays at the PB Bar “I mean as soon as she’s walked a mile be raised to 76. (Good, that’ll give There is an old Indian story about a occasional satsang and knows his way and Grill, Tuesdays at Double D’s in El in my shoes.” Then, with one fluid move - me time to save some money!) young girl whose job it was to fetch water around a kitchen. You can find him on Cajon, Wednesdays at Jasmine in Kearny Facebook at: www.facebook.com/peterbol - ment he wrenched the spike out of his foot I also predict that I will review all of for her village. Every morning she would Mesa, Saturdays at Gilly’s in North Park land.page or write to him at and flung it into the vast darkness behind this crap in the December 2011 issue of walk down the long path to the river and and Rookies in Oceanside. [email protected]. us … where it strangely landed point-first the Troubadour . fill two large clay jars. When they were into the left eye and brain of the host’s full she would fasten them to both ends Happy New Year. of a yoke and lift the yoke onto her www.sandiegotroubadour.com 11 JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song

New Doors CoNtiNue to opeN for robby Krieger

by Terry Roland tinctive and creative guitar was not his SDT: I noticed your nomination didn’t only contribution to the Doors’ music. He come up under jazz or rock but under the ’m not real fond of ranking – as in was also the one who wrote songs like pop instrumental category. who’s the best band ever? People have “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,” RK: Yeah, the categories with the Ibeen known to argue for hours, days, “Love Her Madly,” and “Touch Me.” Over Grammys are kind of strange. I saw that even years over who comes in where on the years Robby has received numerous the album is nominated along with other what list of favorite artists. But, if I were accolades and awards, including a 2007 jazz artists… You know, Kenny G, he’s hard pressed to give my list of the top five Lifetime Achievement Grammy for the jazz. And Larry Carlton, he’s jazz. I think Robby Krieger bands in rock music, the Doors would be Doors. He has produced only a handful of there are just too many categories. solo albums. In 2002 he joined key - there very near the top. The Doors occupy SDT: Will you be doing any playing boardist Ray Manzarek to form the Doors a unique place in the world of rock music. around L.A. for the Grammys? They have seemingly existed in their own of the 21st Century with Ian Astbury of RK: Yeah, there’ll be a show at the universe for the last 45 years. At a time in the Cult filling in for Morrison. A success - Grammy museum for the nominees in the music history when many bands arrived ful period of touring allowed him to bring category. in L.A. with mixed results and fading his Doors classics guitar work back to a quickly, the Doors opened new musical live venue. I attended their 2004 show at SDT: Tell me about the title and how it vistas found in jazz, blues, and rock, thus the L.A. County Fair and the results were, relates to the album? It seems sort of con - creating a new platform for future bands. once again, revealing. After hearing both ceptual. The Doors brought a focused diversity Ray and Robby for so many years on RK: Well, “Singularity” was kind of a fused by its four distinctively talented record, to witness them resurrect and fluke. We ended up using one of my members. They extended long jazz-like bring to new life the music they had culti - paintings titled “Singularity.” To me, the jams before anyone in rock music ever vated so many years before was, in a term is like the Big Bang Theory. You considered it. They broke new ground word, electrifying. know, something comes from one thing. with rock as performance art in their live After losing a legal battle over the use It’s like first there was nothing then sud - shows, which were often unpredictably of the band name, Ray and Robby tour denly everything came out of this one raw and spontaneous. today as Manzarek/Krieger. For a limited point in space. It must’ve been like God With the shaman-poet performance of time Robby is touring with the jazz play - saying he was bored and so he decided to Morrison; the upended church organ con - ers and musicians who formerly worked make something happen. So, I decided to verted to psychedelia of Manzarek; and with Frank Zappa (who also appear on name the songs after things that have to the steady, consistent, and skilled jazz the Singularity album, which he produced do with outer space. You know, like the The Doors; Robbie Krieger far right, top. influenced percussion of Densmore; with Arthur Barrow). Touring with Ray song on the album “Event Horizon,” Krieger brought in an original approach to will resume next year in Mexico City. which is part of a black hole. It has so guitar and solo artistry, which makes him With his nomination for a Grammy in the much gravity that everything gets sucked show my rock and roll bar mitzvah. I went SDT: Boy, the Doors have always been in a contemporary and peer of other guitar Pop Instrumental category, he is the first in. Event horizon is that area around the in a boy and came out a freak! demand in Mexico. legends of the era such as Clapton, solo member of the Doors to be so hon - black hole. Other songs have similar RK: [Laughs] RK: Yeah, we went down there in the ’60s. Hendrix, and Santana. ored in a competitive category. At the themes, like “Southern Cross” and “Solar SDT: In recent years you’ve been playing It was a really big deal. It became a politi - This background makes the initial lis - same time, the band has been nominated Wind.” It’s about creativity, how it hap - with Ray, for a while as the Doors of the cal thing. Jerry Hopkins wrote about it. tening to Robby Krieger’s Grammy nomi - for Best Extended Music Video for the pens in the moment. 21st Century. The government stopped us from playing nated solo album, Singularity , a kind of documentary film, When You’re Strange . It SDT: Yeah, I know the writer Larry a bullring. We ended playing a club for RK: Yeah, that was with Ian Astbury from revelation. While the Doors have most looks to be another good year for the McMurtry said about writers of fiction, bunch of rich people. But, since then, the the Cult. Now we just go by Manzarek/ commonly been associated with their Doors and an especially fine one for “We write from silence.” Kind of the same Doors have been huge in Mexico and Krieger. We just recruited the singer from charismatic lead singer, the flamboyant Robby who stands a good chance of win - concept? around Mexico City. and self-destructive Jim Morrison, hearing ning a well-deserved Grammy for the band Wild Child, Dave Brock. RK: Yeah. SDT: Well, I really hope to see you win the Robby’s lead guitar on this new album, Singularity . In the following phone inter - SDT: Is he as good as Ian was? Grammy! I look forward to seeing you at filled with flamenco and fusion jazz, view Robby shares his thoughts on the SDT: So you’re touring right now? RK: I think he’s better. Much closer to Anthology in January. reveals how very much he contributed to new album and his old band. RK: Yeah, we just got back from New Jim. Ian kind of had his own thing going RK: Thanks. Yeah, stop in and say hi. the experimentation and ambient sound San Diego Troubadour: Is this your first York. from the Cult. But this guy really gives of the Doors. With the studied sensibility Grammy nomination? SDT: You’re being billed as the Robby more of Jim. Everybody wants more of Robby Krieger will perform at Anthology with his jazz group on Wednesday, January and discipline of a classical jazz guitarist, Robby Krieger: Yes. I have a lifetime Krieger Jazz Trio. Jim. 19, 7:30pm. Tickets are available at the passion of a flamenco player, and the achievement award with the Doors, but RK: I don’t know where that came from. SDT: Any more tour plans with this line www.anthologysd.com/ experimental nature of a jazz musician, this is the first nomination in a competi - We’re not a trio, there are actually five us up? Robby Krieger gave the Doors a solid tive category. and there might be six. RK: Yeah, after the first of the year we’ll musical soundscape to draw from. He SDT: Your new album, Singularity – how SDT: Who’s in the band? be going down to Mexico. does the same with this first solo release did it come to be? in ten years. The songs play like an epic RK: Arthur Barrow who produced the new musical journal, a meditation on creativity RK: It originally started as a tribute to album; he used to be with Frank Zappa. and the passion that emerges from out of Miles Davis. I did it with Arthur Barrow. Tommy Mars on organ; he also used to be nowhere, out of the singularity of the We’re both huge Miles fans. We were try - with Zappa. There’s Chuck Manning on moment of creation. ing to do something like Sketches of Spain . sax and Tom Brechline on drums, who A Los Angeles native, Robby studied You know, I was going to be Miles and used to play with Chic Corea. flamenco guitar while he surfed the shores Arthur was going to be Bill Evans and do SDT: Let’s talk a bit about the Doors. of the Southern California beaches. His the studio production. These guys were RK: Okay. our idols. We started it years ago and then family encouraged his music. Beach com - SDT: I’ve noticed some balance in the view we both lost interest in the project. We munities like Hermosa and Manhattan of the band recently with the movie When had a lot of tracks. Finally, about a year Beach were not far from the jazz and You’re Strange and the Doors’ website. It’s and a half ago, we got together and decid - blues clubs at a time when musical cate - a reminder that the band isn’t really about ed we had to finish this. gories were not as important the pursuit one person but we were four members who of good music. During his adolescence, SDT: So you had demo recordings to build each brought important contributions to Robby embraced classical and jazz as well from? the overall sound. as rock and blues. It was this foundation RK: Yeah, sort of rough sketch. The main RK: Yeah, we were a real band. That’s real - that provided the sound he would bring part, the thrust really, is the song “Russian ly rare. I know back then, they tried to to the Doors. During their brief six-year Caravan.” It starts with acoustic Flamenco bill us as Jim Morrison and the Doors, but history he guided us through hard edged and then it goes into this whole orchestral that didn’t work. Jim didn’t want it. Jim blues (“Back Door Man”), psychedelic thing arranged by Arthur from the fla - always wanted it to be the way it was, improvisations (“The End”), and some of menco. By the time we finished it was everything equal. It was his idea to split the first ever slide guitar in rock music nearly 15 minutes long. After we finished everything four ways. (“Moonlight Drive”). A great suggested that track, we decided to make a whole SDT: I saw the band in 1967 at Anaheim listen in the study of his influence on the album. It’s turned out to be kind of Latin, Convention Center. It was a crazy scene. Doors is his remix of the Doors classic Spanish jazz. “Peace Frog,” now titled “War Toad,” RK: Who else was on the bill? SDT: You’ve always brought a jazz mental - from his 2000 release Cinematix . He even ity to your music. I remember, with the SDT: You opened with Jefferson Airplane managed to work in some flamenco on Doors, “Light My Fire” was a kind of closing. The show was held up because Jim the song “Spanish Caravan.” And the fla - Miles/Coltrane-influenced jazz jam. Was was late, showed up an hour late, I think. menco was an ever-present influence in that the first time anyone in rock attempt - RK: Sounds like Jim. I don’t really remem - most of his electric guitar work with the ed to something like that? ber that. I do remember playing shows band. with Jefferson Airplane though. But Robby’s diverse and intensely dis - RK: Yeah. I think the only thing that came close was Paul Butterfield in East-West . SDT: I was only 12. I always consider that 12 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR of note

The Heavy Christopher Duo LaRé Skid Roper River City Guilt Dale In Other Words Rock and Roll, Part 3 Into the Quiet

Lift Us Up From Songs I Know the by Frank Kocher by Frank Kocher by Mike Alvarez The endless musical possibilities of Skid Roper’s place in the local rock River City is a San Diego-based quin - This Words To mandolin and guitar in the hands of two music scene seems secure. As a member tet that has been together since 2008. virtuoso performers are explored on In of numerous local bands for over three Although they categorize themselves as by Frank Kocher by Mike Alvarez Other Words , the new CD fro Duo LaRé. decades, he has combined his guitar, folk artists, their six-song EP Into the San Diegans Chris Acquavella and mandolin, washboard, bass, and vocals Quiet shows that they take their influ - For years Al Howard and Josh Rice Christopher Dale is a locally based Nathan Jarrell complement one another with other artists, including Tomcat ences from outside the genre as well. were involved in the K23 Orchestra, artist whose forte is creating music that on the mostly acoustic affair, as Courtney, Mojo Nixon, Chris Davies, and The first track, “Bring Me Home,” is a which played drum and keyboard-pro - immediately catches the ear and lingers Acquavella contributed five songs to the many others. More than a colorful side - spirited acoustic rock song that features pelled funk with Howard’s spoken-word, in the mind. This talent has garnered generous 13-tune menu of jazz, world man, he has also performed solo and a relentless beat and is punctuated with hip-hop inspired vocals up front and Rice him success as a jingle writer for a num - music, and other sounds ranging from with his own bands since 1990, and has surf guitar licks. Jon Kruger fronts the playing keys. Their new band is The ber of companies, and it has also served gypsy dances to classically influenced been writing songs for decades. band, singing lead as well as playing gui - Heavy Guilt, with a totally different musi - him well in his more purely artistic ragas. Jarrell’s guitar takes the spotlight His new CD, Rock and Roll Part 3 , is his tar and harmonica. His voice has a cal approach. The new disc Lift Us Up endeavors. Dale’s third solo CD, Songs I occasionally, and the two are joined on first new disc since ‘91 and the result of homespun, rustic quality that is perfectly From This takes listeners places that fans Know the Words To , is a smorgasbord for some tracks by cello, bass, and percus - over a decade of time and effort. Backed suited to the band’s musical style. The of the old Orchestra would never have the power pop lover. This almost purely sion to fill out the sound and potential of by Chip McClendon on bass and Joel band immediately takes a hard left turn imagined. acoustic production is packed to the the songs. The locally recorded disc Kmak’s drums, Roper’s sound is a unique in the second track; “The Devils Will The new sound is mellow, ballad- brim with melodic hooks, memorable (Studio West) sounds pristine. Erdis early-’60s mix of reverb, staccato guitar Awake” is more of a hoe down, com - heavy alternative pop, with Howard still melodies, and catchy rhythms that allow Maxhelaku is featured on cello, Harley licks, feedback, and wacky deadpan plete with washboard rhythms and fiddle writing the introspective lyrics and Rice him to deliver his whimsical lyrics. His Magsino plays double bass, and Steve singing that form a winning synergy over and mandolin solos. Yet underneath it writing the music. The new focus is on voice and persona are instantly likeable Haney is the percussionist; the arrange - the 12 Roper originals and one cover. At still lurks an electric guitar punching up singer/acoustic guitarist Eric Canzona, and leave a lasting impression. He keeps ments are crisp. times it’s like hearing the early Yardbirds the arrangements. Despite its dark sub - who handles the duties well. Sean things generally lighthearted, though This is a disc for mandolin fans. with Dick Dale on guitar, playing songs ject matter, one can easily envision a live - Martin, Jason Littlefield, and J Smart play there are layers of emotion and meaning Acquavella has an interesting back - that range from beat poetry to old TV ly country dance taking place during this guitar, bass, and drums on the 12 tracks. in most of the songs. ground as both a rock musician and clas - spy themes-and it all works amazingly song. Canzona sounds an awful lot like Wilco It sounds as if the songs were initially sical performer, and his skill on the little well. “Blood and Bones” is immediately frontman Jeff Tweedy on many tracks written for acoustic guitar and voice, and lute makes this project work. Listening to “Remember the Look” sets a high reminiscent of Civil War Americana. Its here. they would work just fine if performed his original “Mtarija,” any past concep - standard as the opener; Roper’s echoed somber lyrics and minor key melody cre - “Clove” tells much about what is to that simply. Nevertheless, Dale recruited tions of the mando as primarily an instru - vocals mixed under slashing guitar lines ate a haunting mood that brings to mind come: soft, slow, serious, and moody. some top local musicians to flesh out the ment in Italian music or bluegrass are as the power-rock riffs build to a superb songs like “When Johnny Comes This is a metaphor-filled poem set to arrangements and the result is a power - quickly gone as he shows in the space of double-tracked guitar solo, while Kmak’s Marching Home.” The combination of music, as Canzona sings of the female ful and varied mix that sounds fresh from five minutes the potential for the instru - drums drive the beat. A slower, almost guitar, banjo, and mandolin with accor - subject, “She’s red sun rising in a year of start to finish. Mandolin, world percus - ment to take over and dominate as a jazz Farfisa-toned keyboard dominates dion accompaniment also does a lot drought/When the parched people sion, ukulele, piano, organ, and even a voice. The title tune features understated “Downtown Down,” which has haunting toward reinforcing this impression. This pray/Pray for a cloud.” Howard is a hell string arrangement make appearances at interplay between Jarrell’s soft guitar lyrics and a vocal that both contribute to song, above all the others on this EP, of a lyricist, and this is one of those discs various points, giving this album a com - statements and Acquavella’s more point - a Doors vibe. “Hope” is a 64-verse poem goes a long way toward creating the illu - that needs the lyrics included with it pelling sonic depth. Expertly arranged ed responses. “Freedom to Travel” is over Nixon’s bongo percussion that is sion that it was written in another centu - (nope, but they’re a few clicks away on vocal harmonies are the icing on the another song featuring just the two, never dull, and “Skid Drive” follows with ry. “Into The Quiet,” the title track, starts the web). The recording of “Running cake, giving the music the final edge it which morphs from style to style over an instrumental that gives Roper another simply with just acoustic guitar and With the Wind,” for some reason, buries needs to put smiles on faces. the verses like a musical travelogue chance to riff away with his angular voice, gradually building with harmony the chorus vocals beneath a lead guitar The album opener is “Hilary,” a boun - through exotic locales. Jarrell is solo on scales and fast pick. The only cover is vocals and banjo coming in to punctuate track, either a poor mix or a decision cy Brit-pop styled tune that takes its cue electric guitar to play a mellow Pat “Party Lights,” and many of the disc’s appropriate moments. As the lyrics end, that didn’t work. The highlight of the from early Beatles and Monkees hits. Metheny tune, “Always and Forever.” guests are on board (vocalists Joyce the song comes into full bloom as bass, disc is “Heavier Than Mist,” which deliv - From this point on, listeners are on Brisk Latin jazz is no problem for the Rooks and José Sinatra, sax/flute player drums, piano, fiddle, and guitar accom - ers its heavy lyrical burden at a pace that notice that they are about to be treated mandolin on “Um Abraco Seu Johnny Viau, trombonist Steelbone Cook) pany a wordless vocal melody, creating doesn’t bog down, has a memorable to some really catchy songwriting. The Domingos,” as Acquavella follows the for this one. It’s fun and sounds like it an emotionally satisfying coda. melody riff, and good dynamics. The rest of the album does not disappoint. strong bass/percussion bottom; then on was a party to record, but this campy “Aging Dogs in a Fiery Kennel” gets a closest thing to a rocker here is “Let This The mandolin fills that run throughout “Rondo” the notes ring out like words tune is an odd choice for the only cover deceptively slow start but shifts gears to Daylight,” which features cranked up “Addicted” create a distinctly REM flavor, sung by an ethereal singer. On both on a disc like this. become a blazing acoustic rave up. They guitars playing a sliding chord pattern helped along by Dale’s Michael Stipe-like tunes, the jazzy guitar support by Jarrell Roper’s sound is nearly impossible to set a country/bluegrass-style arrange - that catches the ear, not weighed down vocal delivery on this song. One particu - is perfect. categorize, though some of the best ment to a shuffling rock rhythm, allow - by lyrics that seem to be about a post- larly memorable number is “Don’t Say The disc scores points for musical material here echo the vibe of “Secret ing the instrumentalists to tear it up with apocalyptic world. Happy Birthday,” a humorous reflection diversity. Nearly too long at 58 minutes, Agent Man” and other black-white-days a number of solos between verses. It’s an The tone turns (a bit) more upbeat for on the aging process. Its sardonic lyrics, the challenge here is to keep the listener TV hits. His guitar playing, prominent on impressive display of intensity that “On My Deck,” which features Howard set to such peppy and energetic music, engaged despite a sound that is by this disc, seems like a cool update on the proves to be the emotional climax of this writing about his self-questioning tell a tale that is all to familiar to most of nature somewhat limited by the range of style of early guitar hero Hank Marvin of collection of songs. The EP closes with a moments, “Just how did I get here/I can us. Things get introspective and melan - the instruments. The Duo’s answer is to the early ‘60s British band the Shadows. pretty ballad called “Aging Lines Around see for miles, but I’m not in the clear.” choly with “Oh No,” a plaintive ballad in take the listener from track to track The standout track, “Drunk American Your Eyes.” It’s a mid-tempo waltz that This tune rolls out smoothly as a killer- waltz time whose sincere plea for for - through an ever-shifting range of tempos Style,” returns to the vibe of “Remember allows the band to bid a fond farewell to catchy chorus kicks in, and repeats over giveness is very affecting. and styles. the Look” for high impact guitar-rock, listeners. Like the rest of the songs, the and over on a carpet of acoustic guitars, A huge “Mrs. Robinson” style intro “Imardin” is Acquavella’s tour de force with a great hook and harmonics. The lyrics are a bit on the bleak side, but that another highlight. On “Mixed heralds the arrival of “I Don’t Know,” and starts like a clock, ticking away chorus even has a basso vocal touch that seems to be the tenor of River City’s art. Messages,” the lead vocal does a call and which easily slips into a Crosby, Stills, before giving way to complex arpeggios may be a nod to the late Beat Farmer There is a certain emotional tone they response with the lyrics, switching chan - Nash and Young-influenced rave up. The and scales that build, climb, and dissolve Country Dick Montana. A sonic surprise are trying to set and they are very suc - nels with each line; this really gets the massive wall of acoustic guitars and the only to tick away again. The solo man - is “Jennifer Johnson,” a good light-pop cessful at it. Even the EP’s artwork works best effect only on earphones. vocal harmonies make such a compari - dolin tune showcases Acquavella’s classi - style tune that sounds almost like a toward this. The cover and the booklet The pacing of the disc is uneven. The son inevitable, and it’s a very effective cal side, and sounds like several musi - British Invasion single with “sha-la-la-la” are illustrated with a darkly whimsical set latter half of the CD tends to lose steam homage. As has often been said, they cians playing together well. Jarrell’s choruses, background harmonies, and of drawings that reflect an aesthetic as a stretch of four ballads follow one just don’t make music like this anymore! “Molly” is a soft jazz tune, highlighted straight-up arrangement. Roper is back sense from another era. Everything fits: another. The best of these is “Home,” After a couple more excellent tunes, the by his tasteful solo, which is echoed a to rocking with “Prism Walls,” another the musical style, the lyrics, and the which uses keys and violin touches to upbeat “New Jersey” and the somber moment later by the mandolin. “Palske” tune that scores, this time with electric graphics complement each other perfect - flesh out a homecoming story. “Open Up “When You Go,” Dale wraps things up is an unusual song that has a very catchy mandolin. ly. It’s wonderful to find a band with My Eyes to Blindness” has a beat, and a with a stripped-down ukulele-driven hook, and a strident, flamenco pulse. Rock and Roll Part 3 may have taken such a well-defined artistic vision. message about “loving the silence even cover of the Ramones’ classic “I Wanna Nice cello touches add to the mysterious years to get recorded, but it takes no when it’s loud.” Be Sedated.” It’s a cute punctuation flavor. time at all to get in the listener’s head. The Heavy Guilt makes music that mark for a collection of excellent songs Acoustic jazz aficionados will find this Mixing genres and turning back the showcases the ballad writing of Josh Rice impeccably performed and superbly disc a must-have. Duo LaRé have made a musical clock, Skid Roper has captured a and the lyrical imagery of Al Howard. recorded. bold commitment to bold and unusual sound of his own and it is unique. “Lift Us Up From This” is somber stuff for sounding mandolin-centered music, and the most part, but has some catchy sur - In Other Words is full of technical mastery prises and shows a fascinating shift in and musical inventiveness. musical direction. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 13 JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ’round about

JANUARY CALENDAR WEEKLY saturday • 1 tuesday • 11 wednesday • 19 every sunday Joe Rathburn’s Folkey Monkey , Milano Joe Marillo , The Brickyard, 675 W. G St., Coffee Co., 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., 7pm. New Year’s Day Jazz Jam , Humphrey’s Cowboy Jack , Robbie’s Roadhouse, 530 N. Robbie Krieger Jazz Trio , Anthology, 1337 India 9:30am. Jerry Gontang , Desi & Friends, 2734 Lytton Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 6:30pm. St., 7:30pm. Shawn Rohlf & Friends , Farmers Market, St., 7pm. 5pm. Megan Lynch Fiddle Workshop , Old Time Old 97s w/ Langhorne Slim , Belly Up, 143 S. DMV parking lot, Hillcrest, 10am. Lori Bell & Joey Carano , La Gran Tapa, 611 B Gregory Page , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Music, 2852 University Ave., 7pm. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Zzymzzy Quartet , OB People’s Food Co-op, St., 7:30pm. MIff Laracy , House of Blues, 1055 5th Ave., Soul Persuaders , Humphrey’s Backstage 4765 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach, 11am. Scandinavian Dance Class , Folk Dance Center, 7:30pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Bluegrass Brunch , Urban Solace, 3823 30th Dancing Unlimited, 4569 30th St., 7:30pm. sunday • 2 Peter Sprague/Geoffrey Keezer Band , Saville Dan Bern , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. St., 10:30am. Open Mic , Skybox Bar & Grill, 4809 Theatre, San Diego City College Campus, 14th Daniel Jackson , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 11am. Clairemont Dr., 8:30pm. Harry & Nancy Mestyanek , Rebecca’s, 3015 & C St., 8pm. New Latin Jazz Quartet Jam Session w/ Juniper St., 10am. International Ethnic Folk Dancing , Balboa thursday • 20 Park Club Bldg., 12:30-4:30pm. Gilbert Castellanos , El Camino, 2400 India St., 9pm. wednesday • 12 Bluegrass Harmony Singing Workshop Series Alan Land & Friends , Sunday Songs, E St. monday • 3 w/ Janet Beazley & Chris Stuart , Old Time Cafe, 125 W. E St., Encinitas, 2pm. Blues Harmonica Blowout w/ Rod & Honey Music, 2852 University Ave., 7pm. Open Blues Jam w/ Chet & the Committee , every thursday Chet Cannon’s Blue Monday Pro Jam , Piazza/Sugar Blue & Billy Branch/Mitch Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., El Cajon, Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Baba’s Jam Night , The Lodge, 444 Country Kashmar , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana 7:30pm. 2:30pm. Club Lane, Oceanside, 5pm. Island Dr., 7pm. Beach, 8pm. Arturo Sandoval , Anthology, 1337 India St., Celtic Ensemble , Twiggs, 4590 Park Blvd., 4pm. Happy Hour Jam , Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., Diane Schuur , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Elliott Lawrence , Avenue 5 Restaurant, 2760 5:30pm. 7:30pm. tuesday • 4 Cowboy Mouth , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, 5th Ave., 5:30pm. Joe Rathburn w/ Roger Friend , Blue Flame Jesse Davis , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Solana Beach, 8pm. Jazz88 Sunday Night Jam , Spaghetteria, 1953 Lounge, La Costa Resort, 2100 Costa Del Mar 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Acoustic Jam , Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Scott West , Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center, India St., 6pm. Rd., Carlsbad, 6pm. Heald Lane, Fallbrook, 7pm. Music & Belly Dancing w/ Cairo Beats , 3925 Ohio St., 8pm. Chet & the Committee Open Blues Jam , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Traditional Irish Session , The Field, 544 5th Songwriter’s Showcase Competition , Johnny Swim January/Lakin/Rebecca Ave., 7pm. Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main, El Cajon, 6pm. Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Pidgeon , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Wood ‘n’ Lips Open Mic , Friendly Grounds, Island Dr., 7pm. Open Mic , Cafe Libertalia, 3834 5th Ave., thursday • 13 7:30pm. 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 6:30pm. Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss , 8-10pm, KSDS Sandy Chappel Quartet , Cafe LaMaze, 1441 wednesday • 5 Christopher Dale , Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main friday • 21 (88.3 FM). Highland Ave., National City, 7pm. St., El Cajon, 6pm. José Sinatra’s OB-oke , Winston’s, 1921 Elliott Lawrence , Avenue 5 Restaurant, 2760 Arturo Sandoval , Anthology, 1337 India St., 5th Ave., 7pm. Melissa Morgan w/ Gilbert Castellanos , Bluegrass Harmony Singing Workshop Series 7:30pm. Bacon St., 9:30pm. Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. w/ Janet Beazley & Chris Stuart , Old Time The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Rice , Mountain Dulcimer Jam (2nd & 4th Music, 2852 University Ave., 7pm. Chase Morrin , Book Works, Flower Hill Mall, Thursday), Old Time Music, 2852 University Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Del Mar, 8pm. 10pm-midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). 7:30pm. Scott West , Winston’s, 1923 Bacon St., 7:30pm. Ave., 7pm. Troubadours of Divine Bliss , House of Blues, Old Tyme Fiddlers Jam (1st & 3rd Thursday), Michael Tiernan’s New Acoustic Generation Diane Schuur , Anthology, 1337 India St., 1055 5th Ave., 8pm. w/ Derren Raser & Justin Froese , Belly Up, 143 7:30&9:30pm. every monday Old Time Music, 2852 University Ave., 7pm. S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Aaron Bowen/Jon Ji/Lee Coulter Katie Quick , Ukulele Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 University Moonlight Serenade Orchestra , Lucky Star Ruby & the Red Hots , Humphrey’s Backstage Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Reply All w/ Danny Green/Gunnar Bigs/Julien Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Ave., 6:30pm. Restaurant, 3893 54th St., 7pm. Cantelm , The Loft, Price Center East, UCSD Danielle Spadavecchia , The Office, 3936 30th El Cajon Music Masters , Central Jazz Jam w/ Joe Angelastro , E St. Cafe, 128 Campus, 8pm. St., 8pm. Congregational Church, 8360 Lemon Ave., La W. E St., Encinitas, 7pm. saturday • 22 Mesa, 7pm. Vanessa Vasuez , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., Toad the Wet Sprocket/Glen Phillips , Belly Up, Traditional Irish Session , Thornton’s Irish 9pm. 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Brasil Jazz Festa w/ Peter Sprague & Pass the Open Mic , Wine Steals, 1243 University Ave., Pub, 1221 Broadway, El Cajon, 8pm. 7pm. Gayle Skidmore , Analog Bar, 801 5th Ave., Johnny Swim January , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Drum/Danny Green Quartet/Allison Adams Open Mic/Family Jam , Rebecca’s, 3015 9:30pm. Ave., 9pm. Tucker Quintet , Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish International Ethnic Folk Dancing (interme - Juniper St., 8pm. Dr., 1:30pm. diate & advanced) , Balboa Park Club & War British Invasion Film Screening of Pretty Memorial Bldg., 7:30pm. thursday • 6 friday • 14 Things , Museum of Making Music, 5790 Open Mic , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 7:30pm. every friday Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 7pm. Open Mic , Lion Coffee, 101 Market St., 6pm. Bluegrass Harmony Singing Workshop Series Swingin’ House Rent Dance Party w/ Red Ellis Paul/Mariana Bell , AMSD Concerts, 4650 w/ Janet Beazley & Chris Stuart , Old Time Bruce Cameron & Full House , Turquoise Lotus Revue/Nathan James/Laourie Morvan , Mansfield St., 7:30pm. every tuesday Cafe, 873 Turquoise St., 6:30pm. Music, 2852 University Ave., 7pm. Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Thunder Road , Anthology, 1337 India St., Lou Fanucchi , Paesano, 3647 30th St., 5:30pm. Joe Mendoza , Uncle Duke’s Beach Cafe, 107 Monette Marino-Keita/Mamady Keita & the Island Dr., time TBA. 7:30&10pm. Tribal Energy Dance Troupe , Anthology, 1337 Open Mic , Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ & Doc’s Diana St., Leucadia, 6pm. Danielle Spadavecchia , Zia’s Bistro, 1845 India George Winston , Birch North Park Theatre, Saloon, 6955 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, 7pm. India St., 7:30pm. St., 7pm. Joe Marillo Trio , Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 2891 University Ave., 8pm. Traditional Irish Session , The Ould Sod, 3373 7pm. (1st three Fridays of the month) Missy Andersen , The Marble Room, 535 5th John Cruz , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Ave., 7:30pm. Ramekega/Clepto/The Talk , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 7pm. Elliott Lawrence , Shooters, Sheraton Hotel Blues Festival , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Adams Ave., 9pm. Live Acoustic Music , Wine Steals, 1953 San La Jolla, Holiday Court Dr., 7pm. Shawn Rohlf & the Buskers/Three Chord 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Justice , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, Walter Trout , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Elijo Ave., Cardiff, 7pm. Open Mic , Bella Roma Restaurant, 6830 La 8pm. Joseph Angelastro , Book Works, Flower Hill 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 9pm. Open Mic , Beach Club Grille, 710 Seacoast Jolla Blvd. #103, 8pm. Mall, Del Mar, 8pm. Danielle Spadavecchia , The Office, 3936 30th Sligo Rags , Dublin Square, 554 4th Ave., 9pm. Dr., Imperial Beach, 7pm. Open Mic , L’Amour de Yogurt, 9975 Carmel St., 8pm. I-90/Oculus Sinister , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., Open Mic , E Street Cafe, 125 W. E St., Mountain Rd., 8pm. 9pm. Republic of Letters , Chere Amie Yatch, Grape Encinitas, 7:30pm. Open Mic , Egyptian Tea Room & Smoking St. Pier #1, 8pm. sunday • 23 Chet & the Committee All Pro Blues Jam , Parlour, 4644 College Ave., 9pm. The Harp, 4935 Newport Ave., 7:30pm. Johnny Swim January , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams saturday • 15 Hot Jazz Instructors , Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Ave., 9pm. . Cajon Blvd., 1pm. Open Mic , Second Wind, 8515 Navajo Rd., 8pm. every saturday Alyssa Jacey , House of Blues, 1055 5th Ave., Acoustic Alliance w/ Groove Kitties/Veronica Open Mic , The Royal Dive, 2949 San Luis Rey 7pm. May & Lindsay White/Katie & Ashley Rd., Oceanside, 8pm. Joe Marillo , The Brickyard, 675 W. G St., friday • 7 Tom Baird w/ David Silva & Friends , Reynolds/Thea Tochihara/Michele Shipp/ Patrick Berrogain’s Hot Club Combo , Prado 9:30am. Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 7pm. Stella Donna/Marie Haddad/Astra Kelly/Lisa Restaurant, Balboa Park, 8pm. Elliott Lawrence , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Hip Replacements , Humphrey’s Backstage Sanders & Karen Hayes/Troubadours of Divine 11:30am. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 5pm. Danielle Spadavecchia , Zia’s Bistro, 1845 India Zapf Dingbats (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) El Dorado St., 7pm. Bliss/Jenn Grinels/Barbara Nesbitt/Tori Rose/ Cocktail Lounge, 1030 Broadway, 8:30pm. Open Mic (last Saturday of the month), Valley Danielle Spadavecchia , Zia’s Bistro, 1845 India Steph Johnson , Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Music, 1611 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, 6pm. St., 7pm. Barbara Nesbitt/Tim Flannery , Adobe Falls Ave., 6pm. Open Mic , Portugalia, 4839 Newport Ave., 9pm. House Concert, Del Cerro/college area, 8pm. Gregory Page , Westgate Hotel, 1055 2nd Billy Watson , Book Works, Flower Hill Mall, [email protected] Tom Paxton , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield Ave., 8pm. Del Mar, 8pm. St., 7:30pm. Bruce Molsky , San Dieguito United Methodist every wednesday Robin Henkel , Zel’s, 1247 Camino Del Mar, 8pm. Mike Hood Band/the Merry Way , Lestat’s, 3343 Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, 7:30pm. Bill Charlap , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Adams Ave., 9pm. Lou Fanucchi , Romesco Restaurant, 4346 Fabulous Thunderbirds/Kim Wilson , Anthology, Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Lestat’s, 3343 Bonita Rd., 6pm. Joey Harris & the Mentals , Chico Club, 7366 El 1337 India St., 7:30&9:30pm. Adams Ave., 8pm. Cajon Blvd., La Mesa, 9pm. Gilbert Castellnos Quartet , Dizzy’s @ SD Wine The Chapmans , First Baptist Church of Pacific Coco Montoya , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Beach, 4747 Soledad Mt. Rd., 7pm. 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 9pm. Josiah Leming/Jessica Bell , Lestat’s, 3343 Peter Wolf Crier & the Retribution Gospel saturday • 29 sunday • 30 Sligo Rags , Dublin Square, 554 4th Ave., 9pm. Adams Ave., 9pm. Choir , The Loft, Price Center East, UCSD Campus, 8pm. Joey Harris & the Mentals , Tiki House, 1152 Celeste Cartier , Bar Leucadian, 1542 N. Coast Slow Jam , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, saturday • 8 Garnet Ave. 9pm. Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 6pm. 14134 Midland Rd., 1pm. Otis Taylor , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, monday • 24 Muriel Anderson & Tierra Negra New & Old Blues at the Crossroads w/ Big Head Todd & The Urban Outcast , Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 9pm. World Flamenco Guitar Workshop , Old Time the Monsters/Honeyboy Edwards/Hubert Center, 3925 Ohio St., 6pm. Music, 2852 University Ave., 7pm. Sumlin/Cedric Burnside/Lightnin’ Malcom , Michele Lundeen , Humphrey’s Backstage Anthology, 1337 India St., 6&9pm. Cowboy Jack , Beach House, 2530 S. Coast Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Zapf Dingbats , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, Hwy. 101, Cardiff, 6pm. sunday • 16 14134 Midland Rd., 7pm. Mark Dresser Quintet , Dizzy’s @ SD Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7pm. Sara Petite & the Sugar Daddies w/ Drivin ‘n’ Harry & Nancy Mestyanek , Cozy Cottage Michael Tiernan , Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus tuesday • 25 House Concert, 1772 Ebers St., Pacific Beach, Cryin’/Allex Woodard/John Meeks , 4th & B, Ave., 1:30pm. 345 B St., 7pm. 7pm. San Diego Folk Song Society , Old Time Music, Deeper than the Ocean/Ephraim Sommers/ monday • 31 Danielle Spadavecchia , Zia’s Bistro, 1845 India Barbara Nesbitt , Rock Valley House Concerts, 2852 University Ave., 2pm. Dusty & the Love Notes/Scott West/Christy University City, 8pm. St., 7pm. Road Dogs , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, The Fremonts , Viejas Casino, 5000 Willow Rd., Bruneau , House of Blues, 1055 5th Ave., 7pm. [email protected] Baja Blues Boys , Le Papagayo, 1002 N. Coast 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Alpine, 6pm. Leo Kottke , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Hwy. 101, Leucadia, 7pm. DS Yancey/Justin Miller , The Loft, Price Center Baja Blues Boys , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy 78, Barbara Nesbitt CD Release , Oasis House Three for All w/ David Borgo , Dizzy’s @ SD East, UCSD Campus, 8pm. Julian, 5pm. wednesday • 26 Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Concerts, Sorrento Valley, 7:30pm. Chet & the Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., www.oasishouseconcerts.com Honkytonk Jam , Adams Ave. Business Gary Morris , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Cardiac Kidz/Laste Internationale , Lestat’s, 9pm. Association, 4649 Hawley Blvd., 2pm. Scott West , Bella Roma Restaurant, 6830 La Mark Dresser Trio , The Loft, Price Center East, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Jolla Blvd. #103, 7:30pm. Winter Wonder Juke w/ JinxKing/Red Lotus UCSD Campus, 7:30pm. Bill Cardinal/Emily Bonn/the Vivants/Trouble Revue/Lil’ A & the Allnighters/Chet & the Pete Escovedo Orchestra , Anthology, 1337 David Lindley/Roy Ruiz Clayton , Belly Up, 143 in the Wind , Tin Can Ale House, 1863 5th Ave., Committee/Art Martel , Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del 9pm. India St., 7:30&9:30pm. Rey St., 4:30pm. S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Chris Burgess Quartet , Dizzy’s @ SD Wine & Danielle Spadavecchia , Ciao Bella, 4953 Soul Persuaders , Humphrey’s Backstage Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Newport Ave., 6:30pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. John Hull/Ernie Halter/Kenny Eng/Dawn Cowboy Jack , Robbie’s Roadhouse, 530 N. Missy Andersen , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Mitschele , Across the Street @ Mueller Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 6:30pm. College, 4607 Park Blvd., 8pm. Phil Harmonic Sez: Steve James , Old Time Music, 2852 University Josh Damigo , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Ave., 7pm. (workshop, 3-5pm) thursday • 27 Sligo Rags , Dublin Square, 554 4th Ave., 9pm. Roy Zimmerman , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Eric Reed Trio , Athenaeum, 1005 Wall St., La Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Jolla, 7:30pm. sunday • 9 Trevor Davis , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Missy Andersen , The Marble Room, 535 5th Ave., 7:30pm. Jim Croce Birthday Tribute w/ Alan Land , E Liz Wright , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Street Cafe, 125 W. E St., Encinitas, 2pm. monday • 17 Adrian Legg , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Danielle Spadavecchia , Ciao Bella, 4953 Jumpin’ Jim Beloff Ukulele Workshop , Old 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Regret is an appalling waste of Newport Ave., 6:30pm. Time Music, 2852 University Ave., 6pm. Johnny Swim January/Kelly McFarling , Parker Ainsworth/Kellen Malloy , Lestat’s, 3343 Stoney B Blues Band , Humphrey’s Backstage Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. energy; you can’t build on it; it is Adams Ave., 9pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Kamp Camille/Jesse LaMonaca & the Dime Chet & the Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. only good for wallowing. Novels , Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., 9pm. friday • 28 The Urban Outcast , Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa —Katherine Mansfield monday • 10 tuesday • 18 Blvd., 6pm. Poway Folk Circle , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway MandoBasso , Museum of Making Music, 5790 Poway Bluegrass Jam , Templar’s Hall, Old Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30pm. Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 7pm. Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30pm. Bozani Brothers Band , Humphrey’s Backstage Tony Taravella & Mark Lopez , Book Works, Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Humphrey’s Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Flower Hill Mall, Del Mar, 8pm. Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Barbara Nesbitt , Cheers, 2475 Main St., 7pm. Muriel Anderson w/ Tierra Negra , Dizzy’s @ SD Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., Ramona, 8pm. 7:30pm. Zzymzzy Quartet , Claire de Lune, 2906 Infamous String Dusters , Winston’s, 1923 University Ave., 8:30pm. Bacon St., 9pm.

14 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour JANUARY 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR the local seen n e s r P e P d h h n o o

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